My MRI results are normal. The good news is no brain surgery. The bad news is that we still don't know where the ACTH producing tumor is. (ACTH stands for Adrenocorticotropic hormone, which is the hormone that tells your body to make cortisol.) Pretty much, by the process of elimination, I've determined that it has to be in my lungs. Lung ACTH producing tumors are the rarest of the rare. Around 70% of Cushing's disease is caused by a pituitary tumor; 23% by an adrenal tumor; and 7% by a lung tumor.
Another reason I'm leaning toward a lung tumor is that in all of my millions of CT scans over the last three and a half years, there have been remarks about my lungs. In 2008, the conclusion of one of my CT scans is that "There is a densely calcified granuloma in the right lower lobe and another in the left lower lobe." Then, my recent chest x-ray showed, "There is a 1 cm spiculated appearing infiltrate peripherally in the right upper lobe overlying the scapula between the fifth and sixth ribs. 9 mm granuloma is noted in the right middle lobe." My latest CT scan showed, "There are 3 calcified granulomata at the left lung base and there is a 9 mm calcified nodule in the right lower lobe indicating old granulomatous disease."
I have learned that a "spiculated" shape in the lungs usually indicates cancerous growth. I have also learned that ACTH producing cancerous tumors are usually in the middle lobes. I didn't know when I was reading this earlier if all of these findings were due to the pneumonia or if they were the cause of the pneumonia. Now I'm leaning toward them being the cause. Also, lung cancer runs in my family. My grandfather and his brother both died of lung cancer, and neither of them smoked.
The treatment for ACTH producing lung carcinoids is surgical removal. And I know that, if the tumor/tumors is cancerous, then it hasn't metastisized, because if it had it would show up in my CT scans. ACTH producing lung carcinoids are usually very small and slow growing. So I am anxiously awaiting my Tuesday appointment with the new endocrinoligist. You'd better believe I have all my ducks in a row. I have lab results, CT scans, MRI, chest x-rays, pictures of myself, etc. all printed out and tucked neatly into a notebook. Also, Bryant started his new job with SRP today, so I now have great insurance - no more waiting for test approvals. I'm hoping after Tuesday things will move really fast. As always, I'll keep you updated. Thank you for your comments and concern. I consider myself a very fortunate person to count you among my friends and family members.
