could i have ling cancer?

[mishyc106]

ive had a chest infection (well thats what we thought for 8 weeks) but still have a terrible cough and chest pains with weeziness n shortness off breath, also tiredness all the time and was put on steriods and inhalers which did not help so was sent for a chest x-ray and have been told today they have found a shadow in my breast area and need to do another x-ray tomorrow. what could this mean?

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

X rays are images and can show radiolucent or opaque shadows. And only a differential diagnosis can be obtained from this. The shadow can occur due to local causes like recurrent lung infections and sometimes due to cancer of the lungs. They can also be seen in systemic diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis and scleroderma. Only further investigations like a CT or PET scan and sometimes a biopsy may be needed to arrive at a diagnosis. In the meantime try to take warm oral fluids and do steam inhalations prior to your meals. This helps to loosen up and bring out the secretions.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[margypops]

It maybe they are checking for TB but it maybe nothing and from pneumonia as that can leave scarring .When do you hear of results ?