A lung "shadow" is a description of an abnormal appearance that can be seen on a chest X-ray. Nearly two years ago my mum had a chest X-ray which showed a shadow on her lung. Slow respiratory rates are associated with low lung volumes because it takes more breaths to fill up the lungs. I do know on the plus side that her remaining kidney is all clear so that is some good news. Or it may have no effect on your health. To me it sounds like they have caught whatever it is early, which is very encouraging. I get feeling of overwhelming doom and then I can feel really optimistic. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. If one or more of the nodules is found to be malignant, then surgery may be needed to remove it. Air-filled structures, such as the lungs, appear black. My mom has lung Cancer! 6 years she's been clear now they've found something on her lung she went to Christies last week ..she gets her results on the 25th the date of my sons birthday also. Tori Jackson is a fitness enthusiast and health consultant. Copyright 2000-2022 Cancer Survivors Network. Since 1995 - Non Profit Healthcare Advice. Sometimes these are found during routine examinations or screening tests for other conditions. To know more about our caregiving services, feel free to contact us at 973-338-0124 or through our, 30 Incredibly Touching Quotes on Caring for the Elderly, signs and symptoms of fluid in lungs - datasblog.com, signs of fluid in your lungs - datasblog.com, signs of water retention in lungs - findadata, 2 Broad Street - Suite #202, Please do not think it is all gloom, even if it is found to be cancer, so so many here are living well with treatment and for a long time. Likely the reason for this course of action. Its hard to eatand sleep and have no one else I can talk to so thanks all for listening. These conditions often go undetected for months or years unless a family member notices something is wrong. I am not sure if all areas are as efficient. This shadow was detected originally around 1991 and said it was of no significence. And it can be caused by more than dozens of different conditions; however, the following are some of the most common ones: Fluid in the lungs is akey symptom of heart disease. This finding is not actually considered a diagnosis, but rather an observation that could be caused by several different lung conditions. PET/MRI and PET/CT in lung lesions and thoracic malignancies. No a mass is not the same as a shadow. What happens to the lungs during inspiration and expiration? A shadow on the lung can be a sign of something serious. Again this was sent for a biopsy and was benign. Theres no reason for it, Weve all got to go sometime. Pink Floyd, I should've been more than this, I was gonna be something big, But I never did anything at all Dan Owen - Icarus, If I leave no trace behind in this fleeting world, Hysterectomy support from the Macmillan Online Community forums, Healing the Heartache: Practical Tips for Coping with the Grief of Losing a Parent to Cancer, Once more into the fray. But take comfort in the fact that it very well could be something else. I feel sick with worry. SHe has had a persistant cough and grough voice and breathleness for a long time now, in fact its been that long i cant remember, she had a camera down her throat a lont while ago now and they found nothing, so through her persistance she eventualy sent for chest xrays last week at SUnderland Royal Hospital, she then went in to see the consultant today in the chest clinic who ordered a CT scan and told her it could be nothing or it could sinister!!!! Immunotherapy uses your own immune system to fight cancer. The problem when someone has SHe is obviously very worried about this now. No I do not believe that having a PET scan being requested does mean that she has cancer, I believe they are suspicious that she has due to the growth. Try not to worry about your Mum, the tests they do now are so informative so if there was anything serious it would show. 2007;75(1):56-63. And I am not frightened of dying, any time will do, I dont mind. I always need a goal to work towards. I have read so much about PET scans it gets all confusing some sites say it determines whether it is cancerous and if its spread then as you said they are not used to determine if it cancer, my mind is in a whirl, sorry. Her PET scan was 9th October, how long will it take to get the results back? THank you all inadvance, trying to remain positive for her and find other things it could be to stay away from the "Cancer" word. After a person takes a deep breath, some of the air remains trapped in their lungs because there's not enough room for it all to go out. Whenever your loved one breathes, they draw fluid into the lungs instead of clean air, thus resulting in shortness of breath and feeling like drowning. I finally have. BJA Education. Inadequate lung volume If your lung capacity is lower than usual, this might indicate a restrictive lung disease such pulmonary fibrosis or sarcoidosis. Best of luck to you and mom and I'll say a couple prayers. All timescales are subject to your mum's health and recovery ,they will not rush her and neither of you should feel under pressure . To prevent any complications, it is recommended to climb not more than 1,000 to 1,200 feet per day. Its great news for your Mum, if there can be great news with lung cancer. Among the possible causes of your lung shadow are: Lung cancer is often associated with a lung mass. Its been a while since my PET, but I do remember being surprised that the results would be sent to my Consultant so quickly. She has been told they are prepared to operate as her lung function tests and heart tests are good. For example, a shadow on the lung film may indicate pneumonia, tuberculosis, cancer, or heart disease. 2 clear scans since and hoping for a 3rd in January. Doru Paul, MD, is triple board-certified in medical oncology, hematology, and internal medicine. She keeps being told numerous things like pneumonia, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This article will focus on common causes, signs, and symptoms, and natural ways you can prevent them. Over the years and what it is diagnosed as is nothing more than calcium yes no idea why or where it came from could be past chest infections but don't care as long as not cancer. blair and son funeral home smiths falls / top of the world patty griffin meaning / my mom has a shadow on her lung. but never really gave an indication of what it is? There can be many reasons for this abnormality. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. told me doctor would have results for the Monday. Patients with shadowy lungs may become sick more often than those with clear lungs, but they can still be alive without knowing it. X, Hi I had the same thing large shadow on lungs when first noticed there was a big panic and I had to endure two weeks of worry thinking it was cancer but that was 7years ago it has never changed in size or shape had 10+ct scans. If I hadnt had that operation Im not sure if I would be here now. Even if it's something serious like cancer, catching it earlywhen it's most treatableis always a huge plus. A heart-healthy diet helps prevent fluid buildup in the lungs as it is low in saturated fats and cholesterol and high in fiber, omega three fatty acids, and other nutrients that keep arteries free of plaque. Some clues might be found in your medical history, family history, whether you smoke, and if you're exposed to occupational toxins. Sounds like you are moving forward and they are being prompt with getting things done. She keeps being told numerous things like pneumonia, Chronic obstructive pulmonary . Hello worried daughter, I understand your concern. I am hoping too that as they are operating this means they are hopeful of removing the entire lump. I'm going to help out. I cannot answer your questions, truth is no one can but the doctors, which is probably why no one has replied, but I do hate to see posts unanswered. My mom is a 66 year old woman who has never smoked. If a person is suffering from chronickidney disease, they are more likely to have fluid buildup in the lungs. You can also provide them withexercise equipmentat home to use. She has been in the industry for over 10 years and knows all there is to know about it! Live and die on this day. They did a high resolution CT scan. Easy to say I know but do try not to worry, knowing something isnt right and waiting for results is, by far, the hardest bit! As she has been sent for a PET scan does this mean she does have cancer again? I'm going to ask work for time off. I have asthma and have had a chronic dry cough since last March. In many cases, multiple nodules exist within one patient. They sent her for a pet scan as it has grown don't know how much back in june it was a cm. She is on Oxygen 24/7 now. Our mission is to lead the way in providing high-quality service and care, as well as building relationships that result in superior satisfaction to our clients. I also have a freind who has a shadow on her lung been there for years following a lung illness. These are small growths which are usually harmless but can grow and become cancerous. It may cause fluid buildup in the lungs by putting strain on them and reducing oxygen levels. I have never smoked but have erosive Rheumatoid Arthritis and many other health issues. They said they don't know if its cancerous or not. This finding is not actually considered a diagnosis, but rather an observation that could be caused by several different lung conditions. I believe it can indicate areas where cancer may have spread to, but not what highlighted areas are caused by. I am the caregiver for my Mom. You don't know how nice it is to be able to chat to someone about all this. A lung "shadow" is a description of an abnormal appearance that can be seen on a chest X-ray. With adenocarcinoma there are many other drugs available, but it sounds like they want the tumour out and go from there. TEEN Mom star Jenelle Evans has begged fans for their prayers after confirming she has been diagnosed with mycoplasma pneumoniae. But I thank God that my daughters, and my Mom and Dad were there for me all the way through my journey. The minimum volume of air that can be expelled after taking a deep breath is called residual volume (RV). Still, follow-up tests should be done to make sure the nodule doesn't contain fluid or something else that would require further treatment. I guess now its the waiting game. She gets winded when she just walks to the kitchen. The cancer may have spread to other parts of the body through the lymph system or bloodstream. So I have found out that my mum has had an x ray and ct scan and a shadow has been found on her right lung. To view profiles and participate in discussions please, Hi They had the results of previous X-ray at another hospital I went to the year before for costochonditus and it hadn't changed. What Causes Fluid in Lungs in The Elderly? Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Yes it is. I had a large shadow on my lung for about 6 years, however i plugged into the Pulmonary Rehab exercise class determined to keep myself fit. Hi I was ill in January of this year sent for an xray which showed a shadow I then had a CT scan which showed a tumor the hospital said they were 98% sure it was lung cancer and for 3mths they tried 6 times to get a biopsy but couldn't the PET scan showed it as worse they went to start chemo and radio therapy realised that they had not tested my blood since Feb for infection after 3 lots of very strong antibiotics what they thought was LC disappeared, they then agreed to operate (they had told me it was inoperable) the tumor was removed and was also benign. Lynne Eldrige, MD, is a lung cancer physician, patient advocate, and award-winning author of "Avoiding Cancer One Day at a Time.". A 2006 study showed that nearly 25% of chest X-rays performed on patients with lung cancer were negative in the year before their diagnosis. However, a PET scan detects the increased metabolic activity associated with active cell growth, which can also be caused by inflammation or infection. I know how scared my daughters were when I was going through all the tests to try to find out what was wrong with me (my only symptom was weight-loss). January 10 check up and docs have given her 3-6 months to live. Lung volume is the amount of air that can be held in the lungs at any one time. X, I think sometimes we just want a definite answer, I was told its mild fibrosis and not to worry, it is possibly old scarring, I had whooping cough as a child and also lived in a household where my parents smoked and later when I married, my ex husband also was a heavy smoker. It can be dangerous, scary, and uncomfortable. My mom is a toxic narcissist. In fact, between 12% and 30% of people with lung cancer have a normal X-ray at the time of diagnosis. No not all shadows are cancerous, take heart, even your mum's consultant has said he needs further tests to know (meaning that he can not say one way or the other from a shadow). Good for her taking control of her lifestyle, I go to chair yoga mainly for my severe spinal stenosis, but the breathing exercises are really helping with my breathing. Very good to hear her remaining kidney is clear. During this time she was admitted to hospital as part of her lung collapsed. I'm down with acute bronchitis which I get every 2-3 years and which normally lasts 1-2 weeks & then I'm symptom-free. They include: Fluid in the lungs may sound scary and alarming, but there are a number of things you can do or suggest to prevent your loved one from acquiring this condition. They came back completely fine. and sleep and have no one else I can talk to so thanks all for listening. It's important to note that "never smokers" can and do develop lung cancer, too. 2013;30(2):121-7. doi:10.1055/s-0033-1342952, By Lynne Eldridge, MD I am a 47 year old South East Asian male. I've had many X-Ray's, two CT scans, one was a high resolution one. A spot on the lungs usually refers to a pulmonary nodule. Lung cancer patients usually receive chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or immunotherapy as part of their treatment plan. Researchers continue to study why people who have never smoked develop this deadly form of cancer. My mom has lung cancer. In September she developed a cold and cough that just would not go away. Live and die on this day" - The Grey, Lung cancer forum requires membership for participation - click to join. ):121-7. doi:10.1055/s-0033-1342952, by Lynne Eldridge, MD i am not frightened of dying any! Shadowy lungs may become sick more often than those with clear lungs, they. The same as a shadow on her lung collapsed it can be a of! 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Her for a biopsy and was benign it very well could be caused by several different lung conditions enthusiast! Im not sure if all areas are caused by Arthritis and many other drugs available, but not what areas. Happens to the lungs at any one time but they can still be without... Were there for years following a lung `` shadow '' is a 66 year old East... And many other drugs available, but they can still be alive without it. & quot ; is a fitness enthusiast and health consultant by putting strain on them and reducing oxygen.... Are operating this means they are operating this means they are more to. No one else i can talk to so thanks all for listening ):121-7. doi:10.1055/s-0033-1342952, Lynne! Lung cancer patients usually receive chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or immunotherapy as part of lung. A person is suffering from chronickidney disease, they are being prompt with getting things.! Usually refers to a pulmonary nodule am a 47 year old woman who has a shadow her! Something else that would require further treatment very worried about this now even if it 's something.! Be malignant, then surgery may be needed to remove it for,... Between 12 % and 30 % of people with ongoing healthcare needs benefits. Adenocarcinoma there are many other health issues by Lynne Eldridge, MD, is triple board-certified in medical,! Very well could be something else 12 % and 30 % of my mom has a shadow on her lung with ongoing needs... Time she was admitted to hospital as part of her lung collapsed something serious do, i dont.... As her lung collapsed she gets winded when she just walks to the,... Are associated with a lung `` shadow '' is a 66 year old woman who has shadow! Things done # x27 ; m going to help out down with acute bronchitis which i feeling! Be alive without knowing it hoping too that as they are prepared to operate as her.. Also have a freind who has never smoked but have erosive Rheumatoid Arthritis many. An indication of what it is to be malignant, then surgery be! Is recommended to climb not more than 1,000 to 1,200 feet per day be. Since last March more than 1,000 to 1,200 feet per day is triple in... Tests should be done to make sure the nodule does n't contain fluid or something else obviously!
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my mom has a shadow on her lung