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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Cough And Chest Pain When Diagnosed With Adenocarcinoma Of The Rectum

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Posted on Wed, 25 Oct 2023
Question: Hi Doctor, from last 1 month my father in law has been having persistent cough & has been complaining of some chest pain as well. It all started after a trip in last week of March which involved extensive travelling. He was taking anti allergic medicines in last 1 month. Last year he was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of recturm & for which colostomy was performed. He underwent chemo therapy & treatment from jan- oct last year & he was cured. I have attached all the recent x ray & blood reports conducted . Please go through & suggest.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (51 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
the chest x ray shows changes and a CT was suggested

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

The attached results are for cholesterol, blood sugar testing, thyroid function tests, kidney function (urea and creatinine), protein levels, gout/uric acid, electrolytes, liver function tests, complete blood count, chest xray.

(1)In terms of cholesterol-some aspects are a little too high like the triglycerides and VDRL-- diet and medication would help with those

(2)In terms of the blood sugar- it is not clear if he is a known diabetic or not. If he has no previous history of diabetes then these levels mean that he would be called a PRE DIABETIC- some one who is not a full diabetic yet but is at risk of becoming one

If he is a known diabetic then the levels are above normal but not too bad for someone who is already known to have diabetes

(3)The thyroid function tests were normal

(4)The kidney function appears to be normal

(5)Uric acid is normal. No gout

(6)In terms of electrolytes- calcium and potassium are slightly low but not significantly so

(7)Proteins slightly low, not significant decrease

(8)Liver function- alkaline phosphatase is slightly high. This blood tests does not only look at the liver, but also gives info about the bones in some persons
His doctor would have his previous levels to see if it is increasing or decreasing or stable.
If increasing may consider an ultrasound to look at the liver

(9)The hemoglobin/blood count is slightly low but not a major decrease, white cell count is high but this is because he is fighting the cough

(10)The chest xray showed fine diffuse reticular shadows which can sometimes occur if there is a small amount of fluid or scarring in the lungs.
An HRCT ( high resolution CT) was suggested in the summary of the report

It is possible that these changes in the lungs are the reason that he has the persistent cough.
His doctor will likely do the CT as suggested by the radiologist to determine if there are any changes.

Treatment would depend on the findings of the CT.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (18 hours later)
hi Doctor, i have also attached the CT scan reports, pls go through & advise
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
there is spread to the lungs and bone

Detailed Answer:
HI

It would be best for his doctor to discuss these results with him personally but I will go through them with you.

According to the radiologist that did the imaging, the changes in the lungs are in keeping with spread of cancer to this area.

There is also evidence of spread to the bones as well, extensively, according to the report.

The summary also mentions changes to the kidney,ureter (tube leading from the kidney) and bladder but these are not thought to be due to cancer itself but may have resulted from some part of the treatment that he received.

I think, it would be best for him to hear about the spread from his doctor who may also be able to tell him about possible treatment options available, if possible, for him at the same time, to give him hope , if there is a chance
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Cough And Chest Pain When Diagnosed With Adenocarcinoma Of The Rectum

Brief Answer: the chest x ray shows changes and a CT was suggested Detailed Answer: Hi, The attached results are for cholesterol, blood sugar testing, thyroid function tests, kidney function (urea and creatinine), protein levels, gout/uric acid, electrolytes, liver function tests, complete blood count, chest xray. (1)In terms of cholesterol-some aspects are a little too high like the triglycerides and VDRL-- diet and medication would help with those (2)In terms of the blood sugar- it is not clear if he is a known diabetic or not. If he has no previous history of diabetes then these levels mean that he would be called a PRE DIABETIC- some one who is not a full diabetic yet but is at risk of becoming one If he is a known diabetic then the levels are above normal but not too bad for someone who is already known to have diabetes (3)The thyroid function tests were normal (4)The kidney function appears to be normal (5)Uric acid is normal. No gout (6)In terms of electrolytes- calcium and potassium are slightly low but not significantly so (7)Proteins slightly low, not significant decrease (8)Liver function- alkaline phosphatase is slightly high. This blood tests does not only look at the liver, but also gives info about the bones in some persons His doctor would have his previous levels to see if it is increasing or decreasing or stable. If increasing may consider an ultrasound to look at the liver (9)The hemoglobin/blood count is slightly low but not a major decrease, white cell count is high but this is because he is fighting the cough (10)The chest xray showed fine diffuse reticular shadows which can sometimes occur if there is a small amount of fluid or scarring in the lungs. An HRCT ( high resolution CT) was suggested in the summary of the report It is possible that these changes in the lungs are the reason that he has the persistent cough. His doctor will likely do the CT as suggested by the radiologist to determine if there are any changes. Treatment would depend on the findings of the CT. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions