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Advice needed - abnormal lung scan result (fluid in lungs)

IHope2021
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Hi All,

I would like to have your input or previous experinces regarding abnormal lungs scan result, see below time line:

1. My mum developed a consistent cough and mucus that started early Feb

2. Contacted the GP, and they subscribed antibiotics and an inhaler, didn’t work or improve cough series

3. Contacted GP again, and he asked general questions about her health, we flagged that her appetite isn't the same, he sent her for chest Xray

4. X ray results came back and GP said he sending the results for lungs specialist as he's seeing changes in mums lungs

5. Went to the specialist appointment, and he stated from looking at the Xray he can see its unhealed infection, and to stay      on the save side he asked to have a CT scan

6. Mum went to the CT scan and they injected her with dye to flag any abnormalities

7. After 3 days a lungs nurse calls and says that the CT scan is showing some fluid in mums lung, and they want to invite her to take a sample of the fluid to check what it could be. The term they used was diagnostic aspiration procedure

Now my question is did anyone have such experience? When a fluid is located in the lungs, what does it mean? I am trying to not think it could anything sinister. Any input from previous experiences will be welcomes.

Thanks in advance

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    Hi there.

    I'm new here and read your post with interest. I had testicular cancer twenty years ago, but lost my dad to cancer just over a year ago. I understand it's a very worrying time for you and waiting and not knowing is scary as hell.

    However, from the details in your post I think the chances of this 'fluid' being cancer is doubtful. I say this because of the language they've used to describe the anomoly on the X-ray. I've got a layman familiarity of cancer diagnosis - born out of my own case and father's and my understanding is that doctors look to identify lesions, shadows, and neoplasms on imaging. Basically meaning it's non-translucent hard masses which most often signify tumours (malignant or benign).

    Now I'm not saying you mum hasn't got cancer but I am saying I don't think the fluid is cancer. Plus, if they've spotted no signs of masses/lesions on the Xray then I wouldn't be too readily concerned about a cancer malignancy at this time.

    Fluid on the lungs is usually attributed to edema, chest infections, or common pneumonias. The good thing is they've found the potential issue to your mum's symptoms and she can hopefully get back to her old self soon. 

    Wishing you and your mum the very best.

    Craig

      

  • Offline in reply to Craig_TC

    Hi Craig,

    Thanks for your detailed input, appreciate it, Its definitely clamed my worried mind :)

    the appointment is booked now for 12th April

    I will be sharing the updates to help anyone could be in the same boat.

    Many thanks

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