mass on chest x-ray

[lgordon62000]

Hi. March 22nd I went to an after hours clinic with a temp of 103.1, shortness of breath and a hurt rib from coughing. Doc did chest x-ray to see if I had pneumonia. X-ray came up on computer and he looked at it for 10 min like he was stumped then came in and told me no pneumonia, gave me med. and told me to go to doctors next day. I had bronchitis, strep throat, which he took no culture, pharyngitis, and viral infection, as my sickness started with vomiting and diahrea. Well, I did not go to dr, because I got better pretty fast. 3 weeks later the nurse from my docs office called and said I had a 3 cm. mass on left lung, come in asap. I went in and he just gave me a referral to lung spec. which i go to may3rd, for a ct scan. The paper said cause of concern. I dont remember what else it said. Nurse asked why er doc sent me home/ did not mention it but they were getting ready to close and he is not my doc. Anyway, I have lost 16 lbs. since July, I have no appetite, but I am worried. I am 31, I smoke at least a pack and a half of cigs a day for 16 years and smoked marijuana for 14, regularly. My chest has only hurt a few times when laying down, and I mostly cough up thick saliva, sometimes chunky stuff and every now and then my chest rattles. Before my mom died last year of liver and lung cancer, I used her little lung thing and I couldn't even get ball up a quarter of the way. I have not had good lung "action" for a long time. My mom was waiting for a new liver and did better than i did. What are my chances this is lung cancer? I have had bronchitis for 2 months at a time couple times and at least 5 times in my whole life I've had bron. but never pneumonia that I know of. Thank you!

[Lwill]

Hi.  I am sorry about your Mom.  I lost my Mom over five months ago to colon cancer.  I miss her terribly.

Please let me know how your results go.  I went through emergency on May 13th.  I could barely breathe.  I was wheezing and I had a terrible cough.  They did a chest x-ray and told me that I didn't have pneumonia.  They advised that I follow up with my Dcotor and I did have bronchitis.  This would be my third time with bronchitis in the last 9 months.  I have never smoked anything in my whole 43 years of life.

On May 21st I saw my Doctor who told me I was fine but still could not explain why I am still coughing.  I have been coughing now for about nine months.  On May 24th she notified me that there is a "Mass" on the left side of my chest and I needed a CT scan.  I was a little upset that she never mentioned this on May 21st when I saw her.  I am also concerned why the emergency room department never said anything either.

Today, May 31st, I had a CT scan.  I was told my Doctor would notify me with the results.  In the meantime, I am sooo worried.  

[National Jewish]

If you truly have a 3 cm mass, it could be a tumor, benign or malignant.  At your age it is most likely benign, but given your very heavy smoking history, it could be a malignant tumor.  It could also be an infection, such as pneumonia, which can sometimes resemble a tumor mass.

It is likely that the specialist will recommend a bronchoscopy with biopsy or, if the mass is close to your chest wall, he/she might suggest a needle biopsy.  But first, before either of these procedures, you should have another chest x-ray to see if the 'mass' has diminished in size, if only so slightly.  If so, you should be followed with chest x-rays until, if and when, the mass is completely gone.  If the mass is undiminished in size, you should accept the pulmonary specialist

[Raine9]

Obviously I don't know you, but I read your post and just wanted to say that you are in my prayers...

[PortableFernie]

Hi there. First of all, I'm so sorry about your mother. My mother is going thru cancer and at least she is doing "okay" right now. You and i have something in common we both have the same problem. My thing was picked up the same way yours was picked up (during a routine xray). Your mass doesnt necessarily mean cancer. It could be many things. It could be a nasty infection that has never healed properly, it could be a benign tumor, it can even be fungus. What they are gonna do is what they are currently doing with me. Cat scan - pet scan - biopsy. My biopsy is next week, so i know exactly how you feel. Your lung capacity issue might be connected to the mass and then again it might not be. I know these upcoming weeks are gonna be hard for you, they are and have been for me....just try to stay positive and really think and try your hardest to quit smoking.


I'm praying for ya man

Fernie

[lmwilliams]

A related discussion, Chest x-ray was started.

[mjmom52]

A related discussion, Luns "mass" seen on x-ray for pneumonia was started.

[lgordon62000]

Thank you so much. I went for the ct scan but didn't have it yet bc my dr. office only set up appt. at lung spec. I'll have the ct scan the 14th. He did do tests on me though and I have copd. He gave me an albuterol inhaler. At least the copd is reversable. I just have to stop smoking. So please keep me in your prayers about that. Thank you. I don't know you either obviously but I will keep you in my prayers bc God does know you. I just pray for peace, joy, and prosperity for you and everyone on these forums. May God bless you all!!!!

[lgordon62000]

Thank you so much. I am very sorry about your moms cancer as well. After it was over I thanked the Lord that it was only a short time of suffering for her as liver cancer is very rapid and painful. I did not have the Faith then that I have now. Please keep your Faith. You are in my prayers as well and may God Bless you.

[lgordon62000]

I didn't have this report when i first posted this but now I do. It is from the clinic I went to.

Frontal and lateral studies of chest are performed demonstrating concern for ill defined somewhat nodular suprahilar structure on the left, possibly artifactual in nature, however, add. views of chest are recommended w/ mild degrees of obliquity from frontal view or ct follow up to exclude potential for suprahilar parenchymal mass on the left measuring approx. 3 cm in max. size. The bony thoracic structures are w/in normal limits.

IMPRESSION:
Concern for suprahilar nodularity or possible mass on left. Remainder of chest is w/in normal limits. Follow up x-rays or ct recommended to exclude neoplastic potential.

Thanks again.