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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
mass on chest x-ray
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mass on chest x-ray
by lgordon62000, May 01, 2007 12:00AM
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!
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, May 04, 2007 12:00AM
, May 04, 2007 12:00AM
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’s recommendations.
The information you provide suggests that you have sustained some loss of pulmonary function. This should be checked and, if that is the case, you should stop smoking immediately and never smoke again, regardless of what the mass turns out to be.
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’s recommendations.
The information you provide suggests that you have sustained some loss of pulmonary function. This should be checked and, if that is the case, you should stop smoking immediately and never smoke again, regardless of what the mass turns out to be.
I'm praying for ya man
Fernie
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.
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