Hi Jerry- I'm not a doctor, but I didn't want you just hanging out there- thinking no one read your post. I am sure that you and your wife are very concerned about this scary sounding report. What a blessing that you can have such a huge mass and still not be very short of breath. I do have a couple of questions for you though. 1. Have you spoken with your doctor about the results, or did you just request your records before talking to them? 2. What is your understanding of what it means? Lastly, and probably most importantly, how are you both holding up? Like I said- my only contribution is just to let you know that there is someone out there that is pulling for you both. I think it took about a week before Dr. Tinkleman got back to me after I posted- so just hang in there. I am sure they will be helping you both soon. pamela
A mass of the size you describe is highly likely to be a tumor, especially with your history of cigarette smoking, but need not be a malignant tumor. And, if malignant need not be a classical type of lung cancer. Lymphomas are another type of malignant tumor that can occur in the lung, but these tumors, unlike what are referred to as solid lung cancers, are often more responsive to X-ray therapy and chemotherapy. And there are a number of other, relatively rare, lung tumors that may show some but not all of the pathology features of a true malignancy.
Mass lesions can also be infectious in nature and, not infrequently associated with lymph node enlargement but, based on your description an infectious cause is unlikely. I assume that the lung lesion has been determined with some certainty, by an experienced radiologist, to be tissue rather than a fluid-filled cavity. Were it the latter, the possibility of infection would be greater.
You should strive to prepare yourself and your wife emotionally, for the diagnosis of a malignant tumor, but also persuade your physicians to proceed without delay with whatever diagnostic procedures they deem necessary to establish a diagnosis.
Finally, even should this mass lesion prove to be a malignant tumor, it still may be responsive to therapy.
Should there be any doubt about the diagnosis or the prognosis, do not hesitate to request a second opinion from physicians at a different institution, including consideration of hospitals with a national reputation for cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Good luck