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What Causes Lung Infection In A Person With History Of Lung Cancer?
Question: Two years ago my dad had very early stage 1 lung cancer which was removed by lobectomy. He has done well since but lately has been short of breath. When he went his 2 year check up today the CT scan showed infection and fluid in the lung. The doctor said he thought antibiotics would clear it and he should come back in a month. I wasn't able to go with him to his appointment and he seems to have not asked too many questions. What would cause an infection and fluid and is this something to be concerned about as far as cancer goes. I asked and he said the doctor did not mention that cancer had returned so he assumed he was cancer free. Any info. on this type of problem is appreciated.
Actually I guess the doctor called it inflammation...not infection. But he was given an antibacterial drug
Actually I guess the doctor called it inflammation...not infection. But he was given an antibacterial drug
Brief Answer:
this can happen but cancer recurrence to be ruled out
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I understand your concerns. Though early stage lung cancer can be cured, recurrence at 2 years is not unusual. In this case the CT shows inflammation and fluid which can be very well due to lung infection. Hence a course of antibiotics is perfectly fine.
However, if it doesn't respond in a week then he will need further investigations which may include bronchoscopy or PET CT scan. Waiting for a month without checking on him seems a bit too long to me.
Hope this helps. I will be available for follow up.
Regards
this can happen but cancer recurrence to be ruled out
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I understand your concerns. Though early stage lung cancer can be cured, recurrence at 2 years is not unusual. In this case the CT shows inflammation and fluid which can be very well due to lung infection. Hence a course of antibiotics is perfectly fine.
However, if it doesn't respond in a week then he will need further investigations which may include bronchoscopy or PET CT scan. Waiting for a month without checking on him seems a bit too long to me.
Hope this helps. I will be available for follow up.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
So is the fluid and inflammation a typical
sign that cancer has come back? He was
under the impression that it was not cancer,
but it sounds like the doctor can't know that
for sure yet....correct? The doctor just said
he thought the antibiotic would clear it
and did not mention a possible reccurance,
so my dad does not realize that is a possibility.
How much can the doctor actually tell from
the CT scan regarding the cause of the
problem? I mean can he make a pretty
accurate guess that it is just infection? Wouldn't
he have a good idea if it was cancer and dicuss
that possibility with him? Thanks!
(The fluid was present in todays scan but not
present in a scan taken in May)
He also just found out last week that he has
atrial fibrillation and is seeing a cardiologist.
Could this be the problem and not the lungs?
sign that cancer has come back? He was
under the impression that it was not cancer,
but it sounds like the doctor can't know that
for sure yet....correct? The doctor just said
he thought the antibiotic would clear it
and did not mention a possible reccurance,
so my dad does not realize that is a possibility.
How much can the doctor actually tell from
the CT scan regarding the cause of the
problem? I mean can he make a pretty
accurate guess that it is just infection? Wouldn't
he have a good idea if it was cancer and dicuss
that possibility with him? Thanks!
(The fluid was present in todays scan but not
present in a scan taken in May)
He also just found out last week that he has
atrial fibrillation and is seeing a cardiologist.
Could this be the problem and not the lungs?
Brief Answer:
No it is not a typical sign of recurrence
Detailed Answer:
i did not say that. I said that it is most likely due to infection but if it does not resolve with antibiotics we need to rule out recurrence of cancer. CT is usually quite predictive of infection vs cancer, but sometimes cancer can mimic infection. That's why need to be alert.
Atrial fibrillation can be triggered by lung infection as well, but I don't think atrial fibrillation would lead to fluid accumulation in the lung by itself.
No it is not a typical sign of recurrence
Detailed Answer:
i did not say that. I said that it is most likely due to infection but if it does not resolve with antibiotics we need to rule out recurrence of cancer. CT is usually quite predictive of infection vs cancer, but sometimes cancer can mimic infection. That's why need to be alert.
Atrial fibrillation can be triggered by lung infection as well, but I don't think atrial fibrillation would lead to fluid accumulation in the lung by itself.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for the clarification. I appreciate the information!!!
One last thing. Is a person more prone to infection in a lung
that has been partially removed? Just wondering why he
might have an infection. Thanks and I will rate right away.
Appreciate the help!
One last thing. Is a person more prone to infection in a lung
that has been partially removed? Just wondering why he
might have an infection. Thanks and I will rate right away.
Appreciate the help!
Brief Answer:
yes more prone
Detailed Answer:
Partially removed lung predisposes to infection. There can be impaired clearing of bacteria which increases infection risk.
Regards
yes more prone
Detailed Answer:
Partially removed lung predisposes to infection. There can be impaired clearing of bacteria which increases infection risk.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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