Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Unexplained Weight Loss?
Question: I lost about 12% of my body weight over 6-8 weeks without trying. I had blood work done: low red blood cell count; C-Reactice Protein higher than the normal range; sedimentation rate higher than the normal range; chest x-ray with 1.1 oblong nodular on the right minor fissure. So my wife is panicked that I have lung cancer. What would be the odds that is true?
Brief Answer:
Did you smoke cigarettes? If yes, howm many per day and the number of years
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks so much for this query.
I have reviewed this information fully. These findings truly point to something wrong. The rapid weight loss and blood findings are certainly of concern. With a lung mass, I will like to know whether there are other risk factors that might suggest a possible lung tumor such as smoking, working in shipyards, etc. Kindly report to me if you experienced any of these exposures.
While I will not immediately say this is cancer, we must investigate these preliminary findings further. A lung mass alone is not suggestive of tumor. We must make sure it is new and has never been there on previous X-rays as scar tissues might have an identical presentation. However, the weight loss, low red cells, positive CRP and high sedimentation rate are certainly of concern
In all, we cannot completely deny the possibility of a lung cancer but not the only possible diagnosis. More information on smoking and profession would help as well as comparing to previous x-rays and completing with the CT scan.
I hope to hear from you and will certainly make an informed response about the odds of a possible lung cancer.
Waiting...
Did you smoke cigarettes? If yes, howm many per day and the number of years
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks so much for this query.
I have reviewed this information fully. These findings truly point to something wrong. The rapid weight loss and blood findings are certainly of concern. With a lung mass, I will like to know whether there are other risk factors that might suggest a possible lung tumor such as smoking, working in shipyards, etc. Kindly report to me if you experienced any of these exposures.
While I will not immediately say this is cancer, we must investigate these preliminary findings further. A lung mass alone is not suggestive of tumor. We must make sure it is new and has never been there on previous X-rays as scar tissues might have an identical presentation. However, the weight loss, low red cells, positive CRP and high sedimentation rate are certainly of concern
In all, we cannot completely deny the possibility of a lung cancer but not the only possible diagnosis. More information on smoking and profession would help as well as comparing to previous x-rays and completing with the CT scan.
I hope to hear from you and will certainly make an informed response about the odds of a possible lung cancer.
Waiting...
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have never smoked. However, both my parents were chain smokers so I lived with it as a child. During my early career, I spend hours in conference rooms, restaurants, etc. with smokers. Fortunately, the laws changed on smoking. Also, I spent one summer grinding welds for a pipe company - summer job during college. I didn't wear a face mask and would crawl into the pipes where I used the grinder all day. I would come home covered in the metal.
And - I had a chest x-ray maybe 3 years ago. The doctor never mentioned a nodular.
And - I had a chest x-ray maybe 3 years ago. The doctor never mentioned a nodular.
Brief Answer:
We might be more into this territory but not for sure!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I will work towards getting all investigations to confirm or exclude cancer of the lungs than discard this possibility upfront. This is because this is definitely the most concerning possibility that we cannot afford to miss as early diagnosis and management are essential for effective management.
I know how worried you are about the possibility of such a diagnosis. It remains possibility but there is no better way at addressing a problem but by diagnosing it. I will suggest that we get the diagnosis figured out and we would move from there. Even if it were to be lung cancer, there is no better time but now to address this in the most meaningful way.
Kindly share further findings with me for more review and helpful insights. My regards to your lovely wife.
We might be more into this territory but not for sure!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I will work towards getting all investigations to confirm or exclude cancer of the lungs than discard this possibility upfront. This is because this is definitely the most concerning possibility that we cannot afford to miss as early diagnosis and management are essential for effective management.
I know how worried you are about the possibility of such a diagnosis. It remains possibility but there is no better way at addressing a problem but by diagnosing it. I will suggest that we get the diagnosis figured out and we would move from there. Even if it were to be lung cancer, there is no better time but now to address this in the most meaningful way.
Kindly share further findings with me for more review and helpful insights. My regards to your lovely wife.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
