Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Lung Masses
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis.
Lung Masses
by Bleenk, Oct 13, 2006 12:00AM
I am really concerned. For about 4 months now I have been having chest pain. At the ER a CT Scan confirmed that I have several noncalcified nodules in both of my upper lungs and a predominant 2.5-3cm lung mass in my lower lobe in rt lung. They are scheduling me to get some sort of biopsy on Tuesday. 10/17/2006. They were thinking of doing a bronchoscpy, but is that the right choice with the mass being in the lower lung? What else can they do? Will they admit me? Why am I in so much pain and my whole rt side of body swollen?
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Oct 18, 2006 12:00AM
, Oct 18, 2006 12:00AM
There isn’t enough medical information for me to provide precise suggestions concerning your question. A pulmonary specialist in your area is the best to answer them.
However, to determine the cause of the lung mass, bronchoscopy, needle biopsy and lung surgery all have a role. With a bronchoscopy, a thin tube is inserted in your nose and then into your windpipe and lungs. The doctor can see through the tube and tiny pieces of lung tissue can be taken for further testing. This procedure is best for examining the larger airways. To take lung tissue from further out in your lungs this can be done under an x-ray machine to get closer to the lung mass. A needle biopsy can be done under an x-ray machine to try to place a needle directly into the area so that tiny pieces of lung tissue can be taken for further testing. Often a lung biopsy can be done by video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) similar to arthroscopic surgery in the knee for example. The incisions are small. The choice of procedure depends on the size and exact location of the mass. The right lower lobe is less the issue than how far out in the lung the mass is located. The first two procedures are usually done as an outpatient and the VATS during a hospital admission.
More information is necessary to determine the cause of the chest pain and swelling. Chest pain can be associated with lung lesions, particularly when they irritate the layer that covers the outside of the lung, called the pleura.
However, to determine the cause of the lung mass, bronchoscopy, needle biopsy and lung surgery all have a role. With a bronchoscopy, a thin tube is inserted in your nose and then into your windpipe and lungs. The doctor can see through the tube and tiny pieces of lung tissue can be taken for further testing. This procedure is best for examining the larger airways. To take lung tissue from further out in your lungs this can be done under an x-ray machine to get closer to the lung mass. A needle biopsy can be done under an x-ray machine to try to place a needle directly into the area so that tiny pieces of lung tissue can be taken for further testing. Often a lung biopsy can be done by video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) similar to arthroscopic surgery in the knee for example. The incisions are small. The choice of procedure depends on the size and exact location of the mass. The right lower lobe is less the issue than how far out in the lung the mass is located. The first two procedures are usually done as an outpatient and the VATS during a hospital admission.
More information is necessary to determine the cause of the chest pain and swelling. Chest pain can be associated with lung lesions, particularly when they irritate the layer that covers the outside of the lung, called the pleura.
Old Nurse