Shadow on chest x-ray infitrate

[kathy1213]

I'm a breast cancer survior and was diagnosed with a lower left lung infiltrate yesterday at an emergency room
my symptoms are cough for about 2 months, aching joints, off and on hot and cold flashes, the ER MD said he thought it was possible pneumonia but I should follow up with my oncologist to rule out lung cancer.  My doctor is out of town and I am very nervous.
Thanks
Kathy

[kathy1213]

Thank you for responding to my email, I work in the health care field and am exposed to
sick patients in the Florida.  My doctor ordered a second xray and started me on two more antibiotics, and orderd tumor marker tests, I should get he results tomrrow.  Thanks again, I will let my MD know about the TB test if everything else is negative.
Kathy

[HeinrikMD]

Hi,

An infiltrate would mean a diffuse involvement of the lung. Cancer tends to show up as nodules. The Chest X-ray though would have a limited capacity, and occasionally may mistake two, especially if there is fluid between the lung and the enveloping rib cage to obscure the findings.
Your oncologist would probably suggest a CT scan if there is no improvement of symptoms.
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. Whatever this is, you would be better off if you are ready for anything.  Stay positive.