Lung Cancer?

[SandPro]

On June 5 I had X-rays and blood work done due to my back to back colds and flu for the last three months.  I have also had significant weight loss.  I had just chalked it all up to a low immune system caused by stress.  I was given a strong antibiotic and Ventolin (usually take Symbacort when I have a chest infection) and these seem to have helped clear up my diagnosis of pneumonia.
My X-ray results: Large undefined opacification of the upper right lobe, possibly anterior, possible pneumonia in the correct clinical setting.  Follow up X-rays required to ensure resolution.  CTScan required for further evaluation.
Bloodwork results: severely low hemoglobin, all other ranges are normal
My doctor didn't want to address the low hemoglobin and seemed quite concerned by the xrays.  I'm having a follow up xray mid July to ensure that the pneumonia has run its course - which it already has, although I still have diminished lung strength and occasional coughing (phlegm tastes utterly toxic at times - rancid).
Now I have had electrical type impulses in my right lung.  Not sore, not unfortable...just a vibration like you would feel on a speaker.
I should also mention I am a 40 year old woman and I was a smoker up until June 5 when I lost lung function and realized that these precious organs should not ever be taken for granted.  I should also mention that my doctor actually said that if the image on the xray doesn't improve on the next xray we would could be looking at Cancer.  He actually said Cancer.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[rajivsrinivasan]

i had an health check up recently in bangalore and xray came as "Illdefined small alveolar opacity seen in the right zone", they referred me to a pulmonologist , the pulmonologist asked me when was the last xray taken and I told him it was four years back but I do  not have the film but have the report , the 4 year old report read " three well marginated opacities seen in right mid zone, largest being 1.4 CM  this was 4 years back. Dr. asked me if I had TB , i said yes , it was 21 years back and was treated well and the infection was cured. he asked me to take a CT scan  and the CT scan report  came as "Right Upper lobe Nodule and calcified Granulama, likely possibility could be tuberculosis infection". the doctor has put me on observation for three months and asked me to meet him. My concern is if the Dr is hiding some thing, is there a possibility of cancer. the doctor tells me , it could be old lesions as it is calcified granuloma, but wanted me to meet him after three months.

[ugly16]

yap! I am agree with you, doctornee. It is really dangerous to continue smoking after 40. It would be better for,  SandPro to avoid smoking or reduce it in a limited amount.
However, wishing you a Good Luck.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
Usually a hazy undefined opacity in a setting of recurrent cough and cold is due to anemia and prolonged sickness can cause weight loss due to poor appetite. However, in a setting of weight loss, anemia, recurrent illness, a lung opacity that does not resolve needs to be further investigated. 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. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.