Colon Cancer Support Group
Colorectal cancer, also called colon cancer or bowel cancer, includes cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix. Many colorectal cancers are thought to arise from mushroom-like growths that are usually benign, but some may develop into cancer over time. The majority of the time, the diagnosis of localized colon cancer is through colonoscopy.
My daughter has been doing great - almost as if she hadn't been through all she has had. Went for 18 month checkup with surgeon and his protocol was to have a pelvis scan. Pelvis was great, but a note was made of what they called scar tissue at the bottom of one lung that was just caught on the edge of the scan. The radiologist said 3 month scan, surgeon said six months was fine. She called her oncologist and she wants the three month scan done. PA said is not overly concerned but just wants it followed up. They called it atelectasis, which is when the alveoli at the end of the lung collapses by not deep enough breathing. Has anyone else had any experience with this? She is, of course, terribly frustrated - we thought all was going great. She did have quite a cold when she had the scan, but we didn't think anything of it since it was a pelvic scan.
Thanks to anyone for any info.
Hope you are all doing well.
Blessings, Sallie
Thanks to anyone for any info.
Hope you are all doing well.
Blessings, Sallie
Hugs to you and your daughter. I am assuming that your daughter has been told that atelectasis doesn't have anything to do with cancer growth or spread. But it should be followed up to make sure that the lung tissue has returned to normal. A bad cold could cause this. Some of the lung tissue has collapsed and her physicians don't want it to continue. Yes, she should do some deep breathing exercises and exercise in general is also very helpful. She needs to expand her lungs well frequently. I am assuming that she doesn't smoke. I feel that everything will turn out well on her follow up scan. I'd tell your daughter not to worry all that much. Hope that this helps. From an retired R.N.
G8
Thanks again for all the support. Prayers and hope to everyone.
Blessings, Sallie
I guess that I should write to you again. I have been doing some more research on atelectasis and I see that a lung tumor could possibly cause this to occur. However, it would have to be large enough to partially be blocking an airway or to be compressing on or in the lung. Then there would be other symptoms, I'm pretty sure. Your daughter doesn't seem to be having other lung symptoms. But, I don't want to give out false information. It would be good for her to just call her Oncologist and ask him the reason that they are wanting a follow up lung scan done. Also, specifically ask what they will be looking for. Also, ask if they suspect that her type of atelectasis could be caused by some cancer spread. She should ask for explanations of anything that she does not understand too. I have seen some different cases of atelectasis, but I haven't ever seen it associated with cancer. I just felt that I should write you back. Again, I think that everything will turn out well for your daughter as far as her lungs are concerned.
You both take care,
God bless,
Lucy
Blessings, Sallie
Happy to see your additional information. Sounds like your daughter is doing the right things & living a healthy life style. Good for her!
Again, as I mentioned, if she has any questions, she should feel free to ask for more information. Sounds to me like everything should look
fine when she has her next lung scan done.
Blessings to you too,
Lucy