Spot Found in X-Ray

[Margaritaville]

Yesterday my father was told that a spot was found in his lungs on his x-ray. Spots which were not there last year.  They have not done any further testing yet. Could that be cancer or the result of asbestos exposure?  

I'm just trying to get an idea before he gets tested.  I'm not sure what to be prepared for.  I want to be optomistic, but a spot sounds pretty serious.

Thank you.

[Mozark]

This is in response to RN's statement that a lesion smaller than 1cm was likely not cancerous. I have to disagree. Cancer doesn't just start big. It has to grow from somewhere. To suggest that any lesion smaller than 1cm is likely not cancer is giving a false sense of security. Please elaborate as to why you don't think it's likely cancer and why? Are you saying that all cancers just appear and are considerable size?

[Margaritaville]

Thank you RN and thank you Jane for that advice.  Yes my father was exposed to asbestos during the 9/11 disaster.  He was one of the firemen helping out.  I guess there were high levels of mercury and asbestos present.  Although they had masks on they weren't on constantly and they didn't learn about what was in the air until afterwards.  Since then, numerous people have been having a lot of freak issues.  He hasn't even told me any of this because he doesn't want us to worry.  But my mother and I are very close so I was given the information.  He just had an MRI yesterday along with some blood tests.  So I am assuming it will take a day or so before he gets results.  Thanks again for putting my mind at ease a bit.  It's hard to be optomistic about that kind of stuff.  Thanks again.

[National Jewish]

When a "spot" is seen on the chest x-ray, other tests are usually needed to tell whether or not it is cancer.  A chest CT scan is more sensitive and shows more detail than a chest x-ray, so this may be the next test that is done.  If the spot is less than 1 centimeter in size it is very unlikely to be cancer.  After this testing your father

[Jane1]

Was your Father exposed to Asbestos? A spot really could be a number of things and there is no need to panic until further tests are done, the radiologist may ask fairly shortly for a CT scan of the area, which will give them a clearer picture of the anonmoly.  Just to put your dad's mind at rest I had a spot on my lung diagnosed through Xray at 34 years of age, Consultants and Radiologists will seek to investigate this futher ( obviously) in my case the diagnosis after CT Scans and a needle biopsy did discover an ailment which turned out to be neither cancerous or life threatening.  They may first look for a PA Xray
if they haven't already ( just an X-ray from a different viewpoint) then progress to CT or MRI - If it comes down to biopsy I would reccommend Needle rather than Open if possible as it is far less invasive.  But I would also talk to the consultant and try if you can not to alarm the patient.  I do hope it is nothing too worrying.  Others here, with more medical knowledge may be able to alleviate your fears.

Regards
J