Is it lung cancer?

Does a biopsy mean a doctor thinks it's lung cancer for sure?  My dad is 82 and has smoked all his life but up until now has always had a clean X-ray.  My dad just had his yearly X-ray and his doctor saw "somethin" ...his doctor then ordered a ct scan that revealed an egg shaped mass in the middle part of his lungs. His doctor said it "looked" malignant. He sent him to a specialist and he is now scheduled for a biopsy next week. His doctor wants blood tests too. My dad has not exibited any signs of lung cancer such as pain in the chest or coughing or spitting up blood.  
He has a cough and is a little short of breath though.  He is still a very active man...working as a bellman at the Hyatt Newporter Hotel in Orange County, CA. What does this all mean...could it maybe be something else besides cancer and his doctor  is just trying to rule cancer out at this point.  Please help...my mother,myself and my four siblings are all so worried. We love him so much. We are all praying it is benign.  Thank you.

[tristansmom]

Hey Honeyfox,
I'm so sorry you have to go through this. A year ago my mom had a call staying that it looks like cancer. Radiologist read the test and then give them to the drs. I say get a copy of the report and google everything that you don't understand. See.. when a dr calls you and says that .. they normally know for sure already. Its a good thing that your dad isn't showing signs yet or pain.. Shortness of breath and cough is a sympton though. The less amount of signs he has the better. My mom had really bad symtoms (symptoms) such as swollenness, changing colors in the skin, cough shortness of breath.. all of it. and her cancer was pretty far along. They scheduled her biospy the day they found the cancer.. the biopsy was to stage the cancer and find out what kind of treatment she needed and how aggresstive/intense is should be. My mom is very active.. she worked up until last week. Her cancer was in stage 3b and she's had chemo and radiation... the more active he is.. on his own.. the better the stage probably is. So to answer your question normally they won't say it seem to be cancer unless they know.
I know how hard this must be for you right now. I've actually lost a sister 2 yrs ago.. and my brothers had cancer 3 times and then right after my mom was diagnosed.

Keep your head up and don't stress. Life everyday like its the last. I know how worrisome it can be. If you need to talk feel free to send me a private message. but i understand the need to pray and to hope for a miracle. So keep your head up.

[Olivia823]

Hi. I'm sure every case is different becuz everyone is different and responds differently.  The important thing is, I think, to not freak out until things are clarified.  They do these procedures for a reason. It's a process of elimination, and if it is cancer, tests are done to determine what stage it is in and what action needs to be taken.  My brother was diagnosed with lung cancer 2 weeks ago and he's in advanced stages.  He's been hospitalized for a week already and we still don't have a whole lot of answers.  Expect the worst and hope for the best and do your own research on things and find out ANYTHING that you can do that may help. I'm looking into natural medicines right now, that he may be able to take in addition to the treatment they will have him do.  I lost my mom to lung cancer 11 years ago, so I know exactly what you're going through with all the uncertainty of everything.  But don't freak until you have cause to freak.....and hopefully, that won't be the case.  Whatever you and your family do, stay POSITIVE.  Miracles happen everyday and a positive attitude is very important in the healing process.
Best of luck to you and your family.  There's power in prayer.