Worried......

[rinkmom]

I had a chest CT scan done in February to follow up on something seen on an xray which turned out to be nothing.  They noted "a 0.5 cm pleural based density is noted within the posterior aspect of the left upper lung.  No other evidence of masses, infiltrates or effusions noted."  IMPRESSION:  0.5 cm pleural density noted posterior aspect of left upper lung.  This is a non-specific finding.  A follow-up in 6 months time is recommended.  This was NOT seen on the original Xray.


Just to be safe went to a thorasic surgeon for a second opinion and he suggested a follow-up in 3 months since I used to smoke.  I have been smoke free for five years.  Should I be concerned?  My follow-up is next week.  He said not to worry that it is probably nothing but they just want to make sure, but that is easier said than done.  Thanks.

[rinkmom]

Hello and thank you for your response.
I went for my consult on Friday and there was no change in my scan from the previous one done in February.  I will have another follow up in 6 months, but he did not seem too concerned about this especially since it did not change.  I feel soooo much better now especially after reading your response.  THANKS AGAIN.  I am very healthy otherwise and do not have any other risk factors except for that I just quit smoking 5 years ago.

[HeinrikMD]

Hi,

Compared with densities found within the lung (as opposed to the outer edges of the lung or the thoracic wall), finding a cancer in a case such as yours would be rare, more so if the appearance was limited in size, in which case it would be extremely rare.

If you are in fair health, and have no risk factors (involving asbestos, HIV, rheumatoid arthritis), then chances are this would only need observation.

Stay positive.

[rinkmom]

By the way the specialist did say that the dense area was flat and not rounded.