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Suggest Treatment For Pulmonary Hyper Expansion In A Smoker
Question: I was told by my Doctor I have COPD the report came in and it says pulmonary hyperexpansion. I am a smoker now for 38 years
How close am I to Lung Cancer
How close am I to Lung Cancer
Brief Answer:
the exact risk is unknown
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic
Pulmonary hyperexpansion means that the lung tissues have expanded or increased in size beyond normal.
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) refers to emphysema or chronic bronchitis,most persons have a combination.
In emphysema there is destruction of the walls in small air passages in the lung leading to permanent enlargement as in your x ray.
In chronic bronchitis there is a history of a persistent cough lasting for at least 3 months.
COPD is a complication of smoking but COPD does not lead to lung cancer nor is it a risk factor, it is only one of the complications.
Lung cancer, on its own is another complication of smoking.
In terms of your risk for lung cancer from smoking, the exact values are not known but this is known: (1)risk of death from lung cancer is 15 times higher than a non smoker according to one study
(2)Risk increases with the duration of smoking and amount of cigarettes used.
The length of time has the most impact.
The risk is also higher for a person who starts at a young age
The risk however varies widely between smokers.
Summary: (1) COPD is one complication of smoking, lung cancer is another
(2)risk is higher for developing cancer but this does not mean that it will develop. You may never have this complication
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
the exact risk is unknown
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic
Pulmonary hyperexpansion means that the lung tissues have expanded or increased in size beyond normal.
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) refers to emphysema or chronic bronchitis,most persons have a combination.
In emphysema there is destruction of the walls in small air passages in the lung leading to permanent enlargement as in your x ray.
In chronic bronchitis there is a history of a persistent cough lasting for at least 3 months.
COPD is a complication of smoking but COPD does not lead to lung cancer nor is it a risk factor, it is only one of the complications.
Lung cancer, on its own is another complication of smoking.
In terms of your risk for lung cancer from smoking, the exact values are not known but this is known: (1)risk of death from lung cancer is 15 times higher than a non smoker according to one study
(2)Risk increases with the duration of smoking and amount of cigarettes used.
The length of time has the most impact.
The risk is also higher for a person who starts at a young age
The risk however varies widely between smokers.
Summary: (1) COPD is one complication of smoking, lung cancer is another
(2)risk is higher for developing cancer but this does not mean that it will develop. You may never have this complication
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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