Is it pneumonia or lung cancer
Common Questions and Answers about Is it pneumonia or lung cancer
pneumonia
I will have repeat xray possible cat scan. Asking in advance. How often is this found? Can pneumonia look like lung cancer? Day two of medication and I do feel better and fever broke. I still have pains from my cough and still expereince the sweaty, hot and cold bouts but feel better despite general aches and pains. They said possible cavitary pneumoina. What is this?
It could be treatment resistance as develops in certain types of pneumonia or tuberculosis, but it can also be cancer (especially since you were a smoker until recently). This does not mean that you have cancer, but it is your doctor’s duty to rule out this possibility if the lung opacity does not resolve. Hope this helps. Take care!
The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you.
Hi, He went to see the lung doctor yesterday. Doctor also doesn't believe it cancer. He did give him a TB test yesterday, but doesn't believe it is that either. He believes its Sarcoidosis. They are waiting for some more cultures to come back because I guess this one takes longer to come back. He said that if that is what it is, he will have to take steroids for 4-5 years? (with a heavy dose the first month).
It could be cancer but more likely it is just a suspicious shadow. On a plain chest x-ray, sometimes it is hard to tell if a shadow is in the chest or below the diaphragm, in the abdomen. That is why the CT was ordered to include the abdomen, not because the doctor thinks you have cancer. The shadow may just be a scar left from the pneumonia.
Good luck.
Today I saw a specialist who has recommended a PET scan to finally determine whether or not it is cancer. He said that at first glance it doesn't appear to be cancer and that it is too small to get an absolutely clear biopsy. What is the chance that it is cancer? I have no symptoms and am a 51 year old female non-smoker who is in otherwise good health.
Do you have any bone pain, back pain? Pain in the upper abdomen? It is atypical for breast cancer to present with lung metastasis only, usually there is involvement elsewhere (bone and liver) before there is involvement of the lungs.
You described the cough as being around for 2 months already? Pneumonia usually doesn’t present with a protracted course, could it be that you have a slower growing infection such as tuberculosis? Any travel or exposure?
Keep up your strength.
) anyway I had an X-ray and the consultant has said there is an abnormality on my lung and I have a CT scan booked tomorrow and follow up with the consultant on Tuesday. So now I am really anxious and getting worried that I have lung cancer or something. Has anyone ever had similar and had a CT scan and it's all be ok, ie lingering pneumonia or scarring etc? I am worried beyond belief and it feels like a long wait until I find out.
I am 59 years old, ex smoker (quit 22 years ago). While x-raying my lung checking for pneumonia the xray showed a nodgule? i am a severe asthmatic and have had pneumonia on several occasions. They did a Cat Scan and said the nod was .08 or 08 centimeters in dia. Now they have ordered a Pet Scan. They won't say i have lung cancer but they need to do this pet sacn to rule it out.
5 cm lucency in the right lower lung “concerning for a cavitary lesion” was seen on my chest X-ray I am terrified that it’s lung cancer. No family history of lung cancer. No fevers. No hemoptysis. CBC and basic chem panel were normal. Just a productive cough. I’m supposed to have a chest CT when the cough resolves but I am so worried it’s cancer. Anyone else have any insight or experience with this??
As it is what they term 'Small Cell Cancer' surgery is not favoured. They are going to use both Chemo and radio therapies combined for a total treatment period of about 18 weeks..
They seem to speak with confidence which is a help to both of us.
Best wishes.
X-ray is just a screening test. If you have not already done so, you should get the follow-up CT. A cavitary lesion can either be due to infection or cancer, but the former is favored given your age, history of infection, and history of not smoking.
This scan showed no growth but the radiologist could not definitively say whether or not it was just a lesion from a previous pneumonia or a tumor(benign or malignant). I am now being referred to a specialist who will order either a PET scan or an MRI. I am 51 and quit smoking 20 years ago.I am trying to keep this in perspective but am struggling with my mind and imagining the worst. I am also wondering whether most/ some lesions are cancerous?
Hi,
Cancer tends to form masses so the CT scan should be able to find something. If it is cancer causing the symptoms, then it would usually be large enough to be detected by the CT scan. Try to find out if it seems to be dependent on certain body positions. Try to find out also if the pulmonologist was able to detect something to what you are describing during the physical examination. Another thing to investigate is whether the sound is the problem.
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