natalieaster
Posts:0

Hello,
I was diagnosed with stage three sarcoma (MFH) in my left thigh. I underwent five weeks of radiation followed by a resection, and all the margins were clear. However, a follow-up CT scan a month or two after surgery revealed a small pleural nodule. I have another CT scheduled in a few weeks to monitor any changes.

The doctor didn't seem too worried, and I’ve been feeling better than I have since my diagnosis, but I still have some concerns. I'm unsure about what lung cancer feels like or what symptoms to expect if I were to have it. Is early-stage lung cancer usually asymptomatic? Does it progress suddenly? I’m hoping someone here might have experience or advice; I appreciate straightforward responses.

Additionally, I had retinoblastoma as a baby and received radiation treatment around one year old. I’m uncertain if there’s a connection between my childhood cancer and the sarcoma, but I recall reading that having cancer increases the likelihood of developing another later on.

Thanks in advance for your insights.

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General Lung/Thoracic Cancer

Reply # - September 22, 2025, 02:30 PM

JanineT GRACE …
Posts: 710
GRACE Community Outreach Team

Hello Natalieaster, Welcome to Grace.  I hope your stay with us is short, but we are always here to answer, listen and share.  

Since your doctor didn't seem too worried, the nodule probably doesn't look too much like cancer.  Small benign nodules in the lungs are common.  There usually aren't symptoms of early-stage lung cancer unless the tumor is pressing on other structures.  Usually, people being treated for lung cancer won't have scans taken less than 3 months apart because you wouldn't get a clear picture of whether any changes are happening.  

Sarcoma (MFH)/UPS most commonly metastasizes to the lungs, so if there is cancer in the lung, it would more than likely be sarcoma that has traveled to the lung and not "lung cancer".  Rescanning is appropriate in around 12 weeks from the initial scan. If the next scan shows growth, it will be possible that the sarcoma has metastasized to the lung.  Patients with metastatic STS should be referred to sarcoma centers of excellence for treatment. 

I would love to say don't worry until you have reason to, but I know how that goes.  Stay busy and keep your head full of other activities. Keep us posted and best of luck

Janine

I joined GRACE as a caregiver for my husband who had a Pancoast tumor, NSCLC stage III in 2009. He had curative chemo/rads then it was believed he had a recurrence in the spine/oligometastasis that was radiated. He's 10 years out from treatment.

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