LASIK Surgery Health Chat: Tuesday, December 15th 5:00-6:00 PM Eastern. Free live Q&A with Dr. Omar E Awad. Ask your question in advance!
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)
Pulmonary fibrosis and stage 1 empheysema, which is worse?
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.
Pulmonary fibrosis and stage 1 empheysema, which is worse?
by Maren, Oct 09, 2006 12:00AM
My 57 year old husband, smoker for 30 years was just diagnosed with stage 1 emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis. CT w/ IV contrast came back w/ impressions:
1. Hyperinflation w/ peripheral/subpleural interstitial scarring in both lungs, w/ widely scattered small parenchymal blebs, greater on the right side. Peripheral honeycombing w/in the superior segment of the R lower lobe. Findings would raise ? of underlying idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
2. Focal area of atelectasis occupies the posterior aspect of the R lower lung zone but no acute infiltration or other suspicious intrapulmonary lesion.
3. Scattered hepatic cysts measure up to approx 1.3 X 0.9 cm in size. Tiny cortical cyst of the lateral aspect mid pole right kidney.
What does all this mean? Dr. took additional blood work but don't have results till this Fri. Everything I've read points to a very poor prognosis, less than 5 year survival rate for PF alone, not including emphysema diagnosis too. Does honeycomb findings indicate late stage PF? What specific questions can I ask his Dr. so we can better understand what lies ahead for him? Please help. Thanks.
1. Hyperinflation w/ peripheral/subpleural interstitial scarring in both lungs, w/ widely scattered small parenchymal blebs, greater on the right side. Peripheral honeycombing w/in the superior segment of the R lower lobe. Findings would raise ? of underlying idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
2. Focal area of atelectasis occupies the posterior aspect of the R lower lung zone but no acute infiltration or other suspicious intrapulmonary lesion.
3. Scattered hepatic cysts measure up to approx 1.3 X 0.9 cm in size. Tiny cortical cyst of the lateral aspect mid pole right kidney.
What does all this mean? Dr. took additional blood work but don't have results till this Fri. Everything I've read points to a very poor prognosis, less than 5 year survival rate for PF alone, not including emphysema diagnosis too. Does honeycomb findings indicate late stage PF? What specific questions can I ask his Dr. so we can better understand what lies ahead for him? Please help. Thanks.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Oct 17, 2006 12:00AM
, Oct 17, 2006 12:00AM
The questions for your husband’s doctor might be:
What is stage 1 emphysema? Generally that refers to the results of a breathing test called spirometry. It does not refer to the results of an x-ray. Usually there are very mild decreases on the breathing test. With emphysema the breathing test gives more information on overall severity than the CT scan. If my understanding is correct and it is stage 1 by spirometry, then the prognosis is good.
The interstitial scarring is more concerning. Additional information from your husband’s medical history might give clues to the problem. Interstitial scarring has many causes. It can be due to other medical problems. Breathing tests give important information on the severity as well. Oxygen levels with activity tend to be low with interstitial scarring. An important question is the cause of the interstitial scarring. If no cause is readily obvious, then the question is whether a lung biopsy would be useful for finding the problem.
The atelectasis and cysts are less concerning.
What is stage 1 emphysema? Generally that refers to the results of a breathing test called spirometry. It does not refer to the results of an x-ray. Usually there are very mild decreases on the breathing test. With emphysema the breathing test gives more information on overall severity than the CT scan. If my understanding is correct and it is stage 1 by spirometry, then the prognosis is good.
The interstitial scarring is more concerning. Additional information from your husband’s medical history might give clues to the problem. Interstitial scarring has many causes. It can be due to other medical problems. Breathing tests give important information on the severity as well. Oxygen levels with activity tend to be low with interstitial scarring. An important question is the cause of the interstitial scarring. If no cause is readily obvious, then the question is whether a lung biopsy would be useful for finding the problem.
The atelectasis and cysts are less concerning.
Member Comments (2)
by Maren, Oct 13, 2006 12:00AM
Went to Dr. today, said blood tests came back OK. I asked what stage ILD and he said there isn't one. Asked if the ILD was progressive and he said no. But he wants him to have an annual CT scan and see him six weeks from today. I'm still confused by this diagnosis/prognosis, everything I read says ILD is progressive. Anyone out there get any similar diagnosis/prognosis confusion? Thanks for any input.
