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What Does "vague Focal Opacity" In Lung Mean?
Question: Hi, and thank you. I just received results from a chest PA and lateral 2 view stating that there is a "vague focal opacity" that overlies the right mid lateral lung zone. Can you shed some light on this for me? More tests have been suggested, of course, but I'm naturally concerned that this means suspected lung cancer. Thanks.
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Brief Answer:
I need more information about your symptoms!
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
There are many possible lung disease that can cause this vague focal opacity in lung.
This might be related to:
-Lungs infections (bacteria,fungal or parasitic infections)
-Autoimmune disease (rheumatoid nodules,Wegener’s granulomatosis ).
-Neoplasm :lung cancer or lymphoma
-Benign tumors
-Pulmonary infarction
So as you can see lung cancer is an option and we can't exclude it in your case but you should remember that for now it is just an option as all the other options.
It is very important to know your medical history and some information about your symptoms:
-Why did you took the chest X-ray (which were your symptoms)?
-Did you had cough, difficulty breathing, fever, weight loss,fatigue,sweats during night lately?
If yes,please specify the intensity ,duration and the course of your symptoms?
-Have you been sick lately (flu,cold)?
-Have you ever had any lung condition all your life?(e.g pneumonia )
You don't need to panic right away ,it may be lot of things.
A CT-scan of the lungs will give a more accurate information about the characteristic of the opacity in the lung (edges,composition ,localization etc) to understand better the nature of the opacity in your lung.
Waiting your answer!
Regards!
Dr.Rovena Murati
I need more information about your symptoms!
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
There are many possible lung disease that can cause this vague focal opacity in lung.
This might be related to:
-Lungs infections (bacteria,fungal or parasitic infections)
-Autoimmune disease (rheumatoid nodules,Wegener’s granulomatosis ).
-Neoplasm :lung cancer or lymphoma
-Benign tumors
-Pulmonary infarction
So as you can see lung cancer is an option and we can't exclude it in your case but you should remember that for now it is just an option as all the other options.
It is very important to know your medical history and some information about your symptoms:
-Why did you took the chest X-ray (which were your symptoms)?
-Did you had cough, difficulty breathing, fever, weight loss,fatigue,sweats during night lately?
If yes,please specify the intensity ,duration and the course of your symptoms?
-Have you been sick lately (flu,cold)?
-Have you ever had any lung condition all your life?(e.g pneumonia )
You don't need to panic right away ,it may be lot of things.
A CT-scan of the lungs will give a more accurate information about the characteristic of the opacity in the lung (edges,composition ,localization etc) to understand better the nature of the opacity in your lung.
Waiting your answer!
Regards!
Dr.Rovena Murati
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I had the flu back in December 2013, that I treated with OTC meds. I began feeling better, thought I had gotten over it and stopped taking any medication at all. At the same time, though, we experienced one of the coldest winters in many years, during which time I was outside, shoveling snow, etc., as necessary. What I thought was the flu recurred in late February/early March, causing me to cough whenever I breathed cold air. I resumed the OTC meds, however the cough lessened, but did not entirely go away. I went to my doctor when I noticed blood in my phlegm. At this point the doctor examined me, concluding that the blood was produced due to bronchitis and irritated bronchial passages. The first chest xray was ordered; the results were unremarkable and I albuterol sulfate was prescribed (every 4 hours), which cleared everything up - until now. On July 4, I was working in my backyard, weeding, scraping paint, etc. The following morning, as I cleared my throat, there was blood. I immediately contacted the after-hours outpatient clinic to see a doctor, who examined me and ordered another chest xray. Please note that aside from this problem, I appear healthy; I have had no problems with fever, weight loss, fatigue, etc. I am energetic, exercise everyday and eat light, but healthfully. I am 5'2" and weigh between 113 and 116 pounds, and I've never had respiratory problems before. I hope this provides the information you need. Thank you so very much.
Brief Answer:
It might be due to viral infection.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the information provided ,it was very helpful.
Considering your medical history is possible that in March 2014 you had a viral pulmonary infection which didn't clear up completely leaving this inflammation in your lungs which over time is organised causing this focal opacity.
This is only a hypothesis.
In my opinion the possibilities that the focal opacity seen in X-ray is a lung cancer are low for two reason :
-One because you are very healthy and don't have any symptom commonly seen in lung cancer including cough,fever,weight loos,fatigue,coughing up blood or rust-colored sputum ,chest pain etc
-The fact that you have done a X-ray of your chest in March 2014 and this focal opacity wasn't there at the time and this is a short period of time for a cancer to be developed and to be seen in X-ray.
These 2 reasons are relative and I can't tell nothing for sure because some disease may be very unpredictable.
In some patient lung cancers do not cause any symptoms until they have spread too far to be cured and some types of lung cancer are very aggressive and may proliferate very quickly in a short period of time.
With this I mean that even why chances are low ,lung cancer is not definitely excluded .
You have to wait for the result of CT-scan to know more about this.
Hope my answer has helped.
Wish you good luck and I hope it is nothing serious.
Regards!
Dr.Rovena Murati
It might be due to viral infection.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the information provided ,it was very helpful.
Considering your medical history is possible that in March 2014 you had a viral pulmonary infection which didn't clear up completely leaving this inflammation in your lungs which over time is organised causing this focal opacity.
This is only a hypothesis.
In my opinion the possibilities that the focal opacity seen in X-ray is a lung cancer are low for two reason :
-One because you are very healthy and don't have any symptom commonly seen in lung cancer including cough,fever,weight loos,fatigue,coughing up blood or rust-colored sputum ,chest pain etc
-The fact that you have done a X-ray of your chest in March 2014 and this focal opacity wasn't there at the time and this is a short period of time for a cancer to be developed and to be seen in X-ray.
These 2 reasons are relative and I can't tell nothing for sure because some disease may be very unpredictable.
In some patient lung cancers do not cause any symptoms until they have spread too far to be cured and some types of lung cancer are very aggressive and may proliferate very quickly in a short period of time.
With this I mean that even why chances are low ,lung cancer is not definitely excluded .
You have to wait for the result of CT-scan to know more about this.
Hope my answer has helped.
Wish you good luck and I hope it is nothing serious.
Regards!
Dr.Rovena Murati
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you very, very much. Your answer has helped tremendously, as it gives me a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding my condition. I certainly understand that nothing can be truly excluded at this juncture, but at least I can proceed with more knowledge than I had previously.
Again, many thanks for your review of my case and your response.
Warm regards,
XXXXXXX
Again, many thanks for your review of my case and your response.
Warm regards,
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Thank you for using HCM.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Dear!
You are welcome!
I am glad that you got the point of my answer and it helped you.
Wish you a long healthy life!
Good luck with your CT-scan and let's hope for the best.
Regards!
Dr.Rovena Murati
Thank you for using HCM.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Dear!
You are welcome!
I am glad that you got the point of my answer and it helped you.
Wish you a long healthy life!
Good luck with your CT-scan and let's hope for the best.
Regards!
Dr.Rovena Murati
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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