NetWellness Lung Cancer

Testing for Lung Cancer

Sandra Starnes MD — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 09:11:00 EST

Question: I recently had a CT scan after an xray showed a shadow. The CT scan showed no nodules or cancer, however, it showed moderate emphasyma. I was a 30 year/1 pack a day smoker who has recently quit. I am 46 years old and my father died of lung cancer when he was 75. My question is, how long does it take . . .

Answer: Chest CT annually has been recently shown to decrease lung cancer mortality. CXR is not helpful. Screening with CT may eventually become standard, however, it is not currently covered by insurance.

Ask an Expert: Sandra Starnes MD, Lung Cancer

Pain Related to Pleurx Drainage

Sandra Starnes MD — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 20:11:00 EST

Question: Hello. My Mother is a lung cancer patient who has Pleurx drains bilaterally for recurrent pleural effusions.

Immediately and for some time (days-weeks) after being drained, she has excruciating pain. Now, she is having the pain radiate to her neck, even her teeth. Tramadol is not helping. . . .

Answer: People can have pain after drainage, but that severe pain isn't common. Her doctor would need to make sure there isn't a problem with the catheter before starting other medications.

Ask an Expert: Sandra Starnes MD, Lung Cancer

What is Ground Glass in Upper Chest Area

Sandra Starnes MD — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 22:09:00 EST

Question: I was in the hospital for pneumonia and fluid and had a CT Scan and they found what appeared to be ground glass in the upper lobe of my lungs. They did 2 scans with contrast and still can not tell me what it is. I am not a smoker but have COPD all my life 66yrs nelp?

Answer: A ground glass opacity is a semi-solid nodule. It has a small chance of being cancer. Typically, we just follow these with serial CTs. I hope this helps.

Ask an Expert: Sandra Starnes MD, Lung Cancer

Retricular Nodular Disease

Sandra Starnes MD — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 23:09:00 EST

Question: I am trying to find out exactly what retricular nodular disease is and what might cause it.

I have had my left upper lobe removed due to cancer (Adenocarcinona), along with a harvest of local Lymph nodes. No radiation or chemical treatment followed.

Is or could the cancer be related to ret . . .

Answer: It's usually not due to lung cancer. Usually, it's a sign of possible lung infection or inflammation.

Ask an Expert: Sandra Starnes MD, Lung Cancer

5mm Noncalcified Solitary Pulmonary Nodule

Sandra Starnes MD — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 09:08:00 EST

Question: My mother is a 73 year old, 100+ pack year former smoker (quit 4 years ago) with severe emphysema and recurrent bladder cancer (low grade, non-invasive, papillary transitional cell CA, recent recurrence x 2).

She was hospitalized in 2007 for an exacerbation of her COPD. Chest CT with contrast a . . .

Answer: I would agree with a CT in 6 months for a 5mm nodule. It's too small to biopsy and it would need to be at least double the size for PET to be useful. Most of these nodules, even in higher risk patients, are benign.

Ask an Expert: Sandra Starnes MD, Lung Cancer

More Than One Nodule

Shaheen Islam MD, MPH — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 13:08:00 EST

Question: I just got the results of my CT scan and they found two 3mm nodule in my right lung. Does that fact I have more than one increase the chance of it being cancer?

Answer:

A nodule in the lungs may be secondary to infection, scar, granuloma or tumor. In the Midwest US, a benign fungal infection known as histoplasmosis, is a common cause of these nodules. Depending on the risk factors such as age, smoking status, family history, etc. we determine the likelihood of t . . .

Ask an Expert: Shaheen Islam MD, MPH, Lung Cancer

Nodule in the Right Lung

Sandra Starnes MD — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:08:00 EST

Question: Is that good or bad if a nodule grown in the right lung from 3 to 5 and then now it is 6 cm? What should the person need to do?

Answer: If it is growing, you should be evaluated by a lung specialist, either a pulmonary doctor or thoracic surgeon.

Ask an Expert: Sandra Starnes MD, Lung Cancer

CT Result on Husband

Patrick Nana-Sinkam MD — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 23:07:00 EST

Question: Last December my husband was admited to the hospital with pnumonia and they had done a CT scan. We where told that it showed two areas on his lung and to have a repeat Ct scan in six months. What they didn`t tell us was that it showed two 5mm nodules in the right upper lobe and a 2.1cm low attenuati . . .

Answer: Thank you for your question. Pulmonary nodules detected by CT scan are quite common. The important thing is for you and your provider to develop a plan regarding timing of a biopsy versus continued surveillance. The plan should be based on your husband's risk factors such as smoking history, age and . . .

Ask an Expert: Patrick Nana-Sinkam MD, Lung Cancer

What Does 9mm Nodule in Right Apex Mean?

Sandra Starnes MD — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 13:07:00 EST

Question: I was told with a chest xray I have a 9mm nodule in right apex and am going to have a PET scan. What is a nodule? Would I have other symptoms?

Answer: A nodule is a spot on the lung. It can be benign or malignant. A small nodule wouldn't cause any symptoms.

Ask an Expert: Sandra Starnes MD, Lung Cancer

Lung (Small Nodule)

Shaheen Islam MD, MPH — Thu, 12 May 2011 10:05:00 EST

Question: In a recent CT scan of my cartiod artery for blockage I was informed that a small nodule was detected on my lung. They have now ordered another CT scan to determine if it is truly a nodule or maybe scars. The doctors have almost quit worrying about my cartiod artery and scheduled me an appointment w . . .

Answer: A nodule in the lung could be a scar, infection or a tumor. Your physician ordered a special CT scan of chest which is a little different from the one you had when they were looking for carotid artery blockage. I don't think that your doctors have quit worrying about the carotid artery blockage, but . . .

Ask an Expert: Shaheen Islam MD, MPH, Lung Cancer