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Suggest Medical Tests To Rule Out Lung Cancer
Question: I have a persistent cough only at night. I have had xrays that show my lings are not filled with fluid but how does a Doc diagnose lung cancer. I was a heavy smoker for about 15 years and have not smoked in over 30 yrs. I am 67
Brief Answer:
x rays would show cancer if present
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Lung cancer would normally cause changes on an xray, this is one of the main methods used to diagnose lung cancer. It would show up as nodules (masses) within the lung.
If the x ray is suggestive, then a CT can be done.
If your x rays are normal then lung cancer is very unlikely. The fact that you stopped smoking 30 years ago means that your risk of cancer is low.
There are 4 common causes of persistent coughing such as: (1) post nasal drip- the most common cause. Some persons may not be aware of the drip
Using decongestants/antihistamine combination along with topical steroid nasal sprays (eg nasonex, nasocort, flonase, rhinocort)
Allergy testing can help determine the specific cause.
(2)GERD- reflux is another common cause .
Some persons may have both reflux and post nasal drip
Cough can sometimes be the only symptom of reflux present
(3)asthma
(4)non asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis- this refers to the presence of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell associated with allergies) in certain areas of the lungs
Diagnosed by a sputum test easily and treated with a short course of inhaled steroids (asthma steroid inhalers)
If allergy testing is not an option at this point, you can consider treating for post nasal drip first since this is most common.
If there is no response by 4 to 6 weeks then can be assessed for the non asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis (since diagnosis is easy- requires a sputum)
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
x rays would show cancer if present
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Lung cancer would normally cause changes on an xray, this is one of the main methods used to diagnose lung cancer. It would show up as nodules (masses) within the lung.
If the x ray is suggestive, then a CT can be done.
If your x rays are normal then lung cancer is very unlikely. The fact that you stopped smoking 30 years ago means that your risk of cancer is low.
There are 4 common causes of persistent coughing such as: (1) post nasal drip- the most common cause. Some persons may not be aware of the drip
Using decongestants/antihistamine combination along with topical steroid nasal sprays (eg nasonex, nasocort, flonase, rhinocort)
Allergy testing can help determine the specific cause.
(2)GERD- reflux is another common cause .
Some persons may have both reflux and post nasal drip
Cough can sometimes be the only symptom of reflux present
(3)asthma
(4)non asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis- this refers to the presence of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell associated with allergies) in certain areas of the lungs
Diagnosed by a sputum test easily and treated with a short course of inhaled steroids (asthma steroid inhalers)
If allergy testing is not an option at this point, you can consider treating for post nasal drip first since this is most common.
If there is no response by 4 to 6 weeks then can be assessed for the non asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis (since diagnosis is easy- requires a sputum)
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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