May 25, 2012
Topics A-Z Cancer Abnormality of scarring in lung
Abnormality of scarring in lung |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: I am a cancer survivor of 16 years. I had a malignant fibrous hystiocytoma in my right foot at 22 years old. Due to the sarcoma I have always had chest xrays as part of my follow up. Last week a new oncologist I saw said she reveiwed my chest xray and there was no concern but there was an abnormality that looked like scarring in my lower right lung. I have not been told this before in all my check ups and voiced concern to the nurse. She said it wasn't a concern at this time and scarring can be from smoking or pneumonia. I never had pneumonia and I only smoked socially (very little) for a few years in college. Is there any other reason that I could have the abnormality of scarring that can make sense to me other than the beginning of something cancerous? Dear Susan: I understand your concern about lung scarring. First i would like you to understand that scarring of lung tissue might be the result of a group of conditions called interstitial lung disease. This eventually affects your ability to breathe and get enough oxygen into your bloodstream. Beyond this, the disorders vary greatly. Most cases of interstitial lung disease develop gradually, but some come on suddenly. Doctors can pinpoint why some cases of interstitial lung disease occur, but many have no known cause. Certainly irritants like cigarette smoking or other environmental waste toxins or pollutants, infections such as pneumonia and if you have received chemotherapy this could also have caused this damage to your lung. Lastly conditions such as lupus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatomyositis, polymyositis, Sjogren's syndrome and sarcoidosis. I hope I cleared your doubt. |
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 17 September 2010 ) |
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