Calcified Granuloma

[Alissade]

My husband, a first responder on 9-11 received the following results from a chest x-ray. They read as follows: "Parenchymal scar on the left side. Calcified granuloma at the left base".
We understand that this is from dust exposure. Is this cancer? We are VERY worried.
Thank you in advance for your response(s)

[National Jewish Health]

These x-ray findings may or may not be from dust exposure.  The good news for you and your husband, as a first responder, is that these are the only findings on his X-ray.  Assuming that the parenchymal scar is small, as usual when reported this way, and with features strongly suggestive of a scar, rather than a solitary nodule or "coin lesion", the odds are very high that this "scar" is benign.  The same can be said of the calcified granuloma.  With very rare exceptions, calcification is a strong indicator that a lesion is benign.  Basically, these x-ray findings do not suggest cancer.

You still need to discuss these x-ray findings with your husband's doctor.  If not already performed, your husband should have spirometry done.  This is a simple breathing test that will provide detailed information about how his lungs are working.  It will assess any damage from his exposure on 9/11.

[LauraLee312]

I was diagnosed about 2 weeks ago with the same thing. Calcified just means scarred over from a former infection. It is calcified making it a round-like rock in the lung, no problems or pain occurs. It is non-cancerous because it is not to spread.

No worries.

[Alissade]

Thank you very much for your response. A Happy and Healthy New Year to you and yours.