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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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History Of COPD. Breathlessness, Fatigued, Weightloss. Xray Showed Shadow On Lung. What Is It? Cancer?

Hi my father has a long history of copd . Over the last 6 months he has become increasingly breathless , fatigued and there is a notable weightloss. He had an xray which showed a shadow on his lung . The GP has arrannged an urgent CT scan and told my father that the outcome could be nasty ,,,, or a deep seeded infection. He has no symptoms of a fever etc but is complianing of pain in his chest particuarlry when swallowing food, Could the shadow be cancer?
posted on Fri, 15 Mar 2013
Twitter Fri, 22 Mar 2013 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 22 Mar 2013 Last reviewed on
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi and welcome to HCM.
Unfortunately yes,it can be. It is usually diagnosed by detecting such shadows on xray. But also pneumonia or localized emphysema,bronchiectasie and other smoking related disease can be. CT, bronchoscpy and biopsy can give exact diagnosis. YOu must be ready for everything but hope for the best. Also if it is cancer it is necessary to see is it operabile and which way of treatment is the best for him. Wish you good health.
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History Of COPD. Breathlessness, Fatigued, Weightloss. Xray Showed Shadow On Lung. What Is It? Cancer?

Hi and welcome to HCM. Unfortunately yes,it can be. It is usually diagnosed by detecting such shadows on xray. But also pneumonia or localized emphysema,bronchiectasie and other smoking related disease can be. CT, bronchoscpy and biopsy can give exact diagnosis. YOu must be ready for everything but hope for the best. Also if it is cancer it is necessary to see is it operabile and which way of treatment is the best for him. Wish you good health.