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Does Left Body Pain From Shoulder Blade,breast,and Whole Arm Be Lung Cancer Symptoms?

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Posted on Tue, 24 Dec 2013
Question: I am 63 yrs old femal. Had been coughing non stop and went to doctor. Stuffed up sinuses. Doctor diagnosed sinus infection and gave me amoxicillin which did nothing for it. I went back 3 weeks later with same wet cough and stuff, dripping nose. Coughing up some white, yellow mucus. Dr. took chest x ray and upon looking said possibly bronchitis and gave me 10 days of Levaquin. 500 mg 1x daily She called the other day and asked me to come in for a PFT test saying that the chest x ray looked like there was air left in the lungs. What does that mean and why a PFT test? I should let you know that I don't smoke any longer, but had smoked on and off for 10 years. Have not smoked in 4 years. After finishing Levaquin 3 days ago I noticed I had pain on my left radiating down from shoulder blade, breast, and down my whole arm- even left side of neck. Could this be lung cancer?
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Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (27 minutes later)
Brief Answer: PFT is used to Dx COPD , ILD, not Lung Cancer Detailed Answer: Dear Mam Without looking at X- Ray it would be difficut to comment upon the cause. But history is suggestive of bronchitis. Since you have sinusitis also , that can also contribute to the infection. yellow mucous is suggestive of some infection , that probably Levaquin must have covered. PFT means Pulmonary Function Tests. PFT is helpful in finding whether you have restrictive or obstructive lung disease, like COPD (chronic bronchitis and or emphysema), bronchiectasis , interstitial lung disease. Since you have been a smoker , it would be a wise decision to rule out these conditions. Your doctor said there is air left in the lung , this means pneumothorax , but that can't be in your case as your doctor would have promptly admitted you. By saying those words and asking you for PFT , probably she wants to rule out some disease like bronchiectasis , COPD. From so far, i can tell you that if your doctor has asked you for PFT , she is not thinking of Lung cancer , as PFT is not a diagnostic modality for lung cancer. Go for PFT , let your doctor diagnose and get treated. Get Well Soon. I hope i am able to answer your query , still if you have any query , ask me.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
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Dr. Anshul Varshney

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 3071 Questions

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Does Left Body Pain From Shoulder Blade,breast,and Whole Arm Be Lung Cancer Symptoms?

Brief Answer: PFT is used to Dx COPD , ILD, not Lung Cancer Detailed Answer: Dear Mam Without looking at X- Ray it would be difficut to comment upon the cause. But history is suggestive of bronchitis. Since you have sinusitis also , that can also contribute to the infection. yellow mucous is suggestive of some infection , that probably Levaquin must have covered. PFT means Pulmonary Function Tests. PFT is helpful in finding whether you have restrictive or obstructive lung disease, like COPD (chronic bronchitis and or emphysema), bronchiectasis , interstitial lung disease. Since you have been a smoker , it would be a wise decision to rule out these conditions. Your doctor said there is air left in the lung , this means pneumothorax , but that can't be in your case as your doctor would have promptly admitted you. By saying those words and asking you for PFT , probably she wants to rule out some disease like bronchiectasis , COPD. From so far, i can tell you that if your doctor has asked you for PFT , she is not thinking of Lung cancer , as PFT is not a diagnostic modality for lung cancer. Go for PFT , let your doctor diagnose and get treated. Get Well Soon. I hope i am able to answer your query , still if you have any query , ask me.