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Monday, August 11, 2008 Overwhelmed asks

Q: Recent tests have identified breast microcalcifications, lung nodules, kidney cysts and more...

After going to the PCP tp get to the bottom of some ongoing lower abdominal pain, a CT scan revealed kidnet cysts, an ovarian cyst and lung nodules.  The pulmonologist recommended a mammography to rule out breast cancer (I am 33 years old and my grandmother had breast cancer), and a colonoscopy to check out that area (scheduled for next week).  The pulmonologist feels that the nodules are not typical of primary lung cancer, and probably not metastisized cancer, but wanted to check these areas anyway. 

 

The mammography and magnification revealed a "cluster of microcalcifications" according to the PCP (I do not have the actual report in my hands yet).  The radiologist feels that they are "probably" benign.  They want me to follow up in 6 months with another mammography, 3 months for a lung CT, and 6 months for a kidney sono.  The 2 CTs also indicated shotty lymph nodes in my lungs and abdominal area.  I am not sure if the doctors are putting all these factors together; they seem to feel like each individual issue is nothing to worry about, but I am really anxious about the possibility of some kind of cancer that no one is picking up on.  All the blood tests have come back negative for a wide variety of issues; am I worrying too much or are these doctors missing something?

 

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PJ Hamel, Health Guide
8/11/08 10:36pm

Sorry you're having to go through all this! I'm sure you're scared as well as overwhelmed... I'm not a doctor and would have no idea if any of this is related. I know that microcalcifications in the breast can sometimes become cancerous, but don't know anything about your other issues. It sounds to me as though you need to schedule a long appointment with your PCP, as (s)he's the one who should be coordinating your treatment, and making sure one hand knows what the other is doing. this is a time when you need to advocate for yourself. Good luck - PJH

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By Overwhelmed— Last Modified: 12/26/10, First Published: 08/11/08