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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Spot on Lung
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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.
Spot on Lung
by BP26, Oct 18, 2004 12:00AM
My mother recently went to her doctor’s office to schedule a date for a removal of a cyst on her hand. She had a full physical and x-ray done. She told me her doctor found a spot on her lung and told her she might be coming down with “something” and prescribed her antibiotics for two weeks. They cannot put her to sleep if she is sick and after two weeks do another x-ray to see if the spot is still there. I have a weird feeling she is not telling me the truth so that I don’t worry. She was a smoker for 15 years. She quit for about 10 years then started again about 3 years ago. The doctor advised her to quit so she quit again a year ago. Is it a high possibility she can have lung cancer? And if she does, if it is caught early enough can it be cured? I am extremely worried that in two weeks she is going to tell me she has lung cancer. Or is it possible that she just has a respiratory problem?
Thank you,
Worried daughter
Thank you,
Worried daughter
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Oct 26, 2004 12:00AM
, Oct 26, 2004 12:00AM
A nodule is usually a small, round shadow or spot seen on chest x-ray anywhere in the lungs. Nodules are due to infections, inflammation, or tumors. A nodule that is 1 centimeter in size or less is very unlikely to be cancer. Your mother will need to have more testing done to know what this could be. A chest CT scan is usually the next test that is done because it is more sensitive and shows more detail than a chest x-ray. The shape, smoothness, and density of the nodule will be seen on the CT scan. This will help in determining what this could be. If your mother has had previous chest x-rays or CT scans it would be helpful to locate them. Then her doctor could compare them with her most recent chest x-ray and CT scan. The comparison could be most helpful to your mother’s doctor, in interpreting these findings and the significance of the nodule.
It is also possible that this spot on her chest x-ray is the very beginning of a lung infection. Taking the antibiotic for 2 weeks should have cleared the spot from her chest x-ray.
It is also possible that this spot on her chest x-ray is the very beginning of a lung infection. Taking the antibiotic for 2 weeks should have cleared the spot from her chest x-ray.
Member Comments (2)
by bronchsman, Oct 23, 2004 12:00AM
A spot on the lung could be many things. They should compare to old x-rays to be sure it is not scarring from infection. Other possibilties are fungal infections, TB, some other infection, and yes cancer. If it doesn't resolve, they may want to consider a brochoscopy to evaluate and take specimens to rule these things out.
by jbugcat, Mar 04, 2009 07:03PM
A related discussion, spot on lung was started.
