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Suggest Treatment For Non-small-cell Lung Carcinoma
Question: My dad had a chest X-Ray and was found a lung mass, had a CT scan, where results came back positive for nsclc. He then had a biopsy, which came back normal...no cancer cells found. Is this normal? He is scheduled to have a pet scan tomorrow.
One more question..he's had chronic coughing for about six weeks, but he's been on antibiotics, which seems to be helping him. He still coughs, but not as persistent. With lung cancer, is this possible?
One more question..he's had chronic coughing for about six weeks, but he's been on antibiotics, which seems to be helping him. He still coughs, but not as persistent. With lung cancer, is this possible?
Brief Answer:
yes,it seems lung cancer more.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM .
I can understand your situation and problem.
If CT scan is showing mass lesion then possibility of lung cancer is high because his age is 77 years (old age).
And it is possible to have normal biopsy even with lung cancer. Biopsy represent only the tissue which is taken out. So if biopsy was taken from necrotic or fibrotic part of mass then it will not give you any malignant cell as and thus can be normal. So ideal way is to take 5-6 biopsies from different areas of mass under CT guidance. So PET scan should be done to know the activity of the mass. And repeat biopsies are also required to identity the type of lung cancer.
And chronic cough is the feature of malignancy.
I want to ask you few things.
1. Is he a smoker?
2. Is he having hemoptysis (blood in sputum) or low grade fever with weakness , loss of appetite and weight loss.
Please reply me these answers, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your father.
Thanks.
yes,it seems lung cancer more.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM .
I can understand your situation and problem.
If CT scan is showing mass lesion then possibility of lung cancer is high because his age is 77 years (old age).
And it is possible to have normal biopsy even with lung cancer. Biopsy represent only the tissue which is taken out. So if biopsy was taken from necrotic or fibrotic part of mass then it will not give you any malignant cell as and thus can be normal. So ideal way is to take 5-6 biopsies from different areas of mass under CT guidance. So PET scan should be done to know the activity of the mass. And repeat biopsies are also required to identity the type of lung cancer.
And chronic cough is the feature of malignancy.
I want to ask you few things.
1. Is he a smoker?
2. Is he having hemoptysis (blood in sputum) or low grade fever with weakness , loss of appetite and weight loss.
Please reply me these answers, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your father.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
He is not a smoker, only dry coughs, but he is losing weight. Lost about 7 pounds in two weeks. His cough has been better, since he's been on the antibiotics. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
CT report is suggestive of only mass?
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
Thanks for the information.
Can you please tell what exactly CT report says.
Like
1. Size of the mass
2. Lymphnodes present or not.
3. Surrounding lung involved or not.
4. Mass is necrotic or enhancing with contrast?
All these are important in differentiating Malignant mass from infection.
Since he is not smoker, possibility of infection is there.
So please reply me above answers, so that I can guide you further.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your father.
Thanks.
CT report is suggestive of only mass?
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
Thanks for the information.
Can you please tell what exactly CT report says.
Like
1. Size of the mass
2. Lymphnodes present or not.
3. Surrounding lung involved or not.
4. Mass is necrotic or enhancing with contrast?
All these are important in differentiating Malignant mass from infection.
Since he is not smoker, possibility of infection is there.
So please reply me above answers, so that I can guide you further.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your father.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Hello..thank you for your quick response back!
The mass showing is 5.4 cm, and the lympnodes are swollen. The mass is necrotic.
The mass showing is 5.4 cm, and the lympnodes are swollen. The mass is necrotic.
Brief Answer:
Need some more information.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question.
Need to know few more thing which I already asked in my previous answer.
1. What about surrounding lungs?
2. Which Lymphnodes are involved? Group of nodes.
Necrotic mass with swollen Lymphnodes can be seen in infection also. So need to know above answers first.
Please reply me these answers.
I will be happy to help you.
Wishing good health to your father.
Thanks
Need some more information.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question.
Need to know few more thing which I already asked in my previous answer.
1. What about surrounding lungs?
2. Which Lymphnodes are involved? Group of nodes.
Necrotic mass with swollen Lymphnodes can be seen in infection also. So need to know above answers first.
Please reply me these answers.
I will be happy to help you.
Wishing good health to your father.
Thanks
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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