Question 1

can lung cancer be detected in a chest x-ray for pneumonia?

Accepted Answer

Possible: But the pneumonia density can obscure, or be distal to a cancer.
Usually follow up x-rays or ct after acute pneumonia clears can be helpful.

Question 2

can a chest x-ray or echo detect lung cancer?

Accepted Answer

Chest X-ray: A chest x-ray can spot a lesion which maybe lung cancer. Additional test would be necessary to confirm cancer. An echo is an ultrasound of the heart. It would not directly show a lesion. The lung is full of air which does not work well with echo.

Question 3

can you have lung cancer if have clear chest x-ray (both pa & lateral view) two months ago?

Accepted Answer

Of course, but...: The answer is NO, if a person is healthy and has no special reason to be suspected of having lung cancer. Many things are possible in life. So, as long as a person has lungs, he CAN have lung cancer, but it is not detectable until the tumor gets bigger. Likewise, he can have brain cancer, liver cancer, etc... But, in order to live a happy, normal life, we say NO CANCER when we don&#x27;t detect cancer.

Question 4

can you see lung cancer in a chest x-ray?

Accepted Answer

Yes and no: Chest x-rays are good tools for screening for lung cancers. If the nodule is large enough, it can be seen on a chest x-ray. However not all  nodules are cancerous  and therefore abnormal x-ray findings need to be evaluated by further testing including ct scans and biopsy.

Question 5

would a clear chest x-ray mean there is no lung cancer?

Accepted Answer

Chest Xray: No. It means there is no visible mass that could be lung cancer.  Sometimes the xray is done too early in life when there is not a big mass yet to see.

Question 6

how accurate is a chest x-ray for diagnosing lung cancer?

Accepted Answer

Poor sensitivity: Unfortunately chest xray has poor sensitivity for the diagnosis of lung cancer.  Small cancers can "hide" behind structures on the xray and this affects the ability of the xray to be sensitive enough to pick up these findings early.  A ct scan of the chest is likely a better way to detect cancer but it has disadvantages including the expense and radiation exposure.

Question 7

if lung cancer cannot be detected on chest x-ray what's the point in having one?

Accepted Answer

Not CXR; CT: A recent study showed that screening ct scans can detect some lung cancers early enough that they can be successfully treated in some people. A plain chest x-ray generally isn't sensitive enough to catch them early enough to matter. Even if cure isn't an option, a cxr that finds lung cancer can help direct treatment for symptom control.

Question 8

does finding a shadow on a chest x-ray always mean that the person has lung cancer?

Accepted Answer

No: A typical chest xray is not very specific.  An abnormal chest xray should be followed up with a chest ct scan.  A ct scan is very good to evaluate and find chest abnormalities.

Question 9

other than chest x-ray, any other ways to look for lung cancer?  blood tests, etc.?  thank you.

Accepted Answer

Ct scan, biopsy: Chest x-ray is less sensitive and less specific compared to ct scan of the chest  to be used in screening for lung cancer. No blood test available to screen for lung cancer. If there is anything suspicious in ct scan - a pet scan can be utilized for solitary lung nodule -but ultimately a core biopsy to the lesion would be needed for a definitive answer.

Question 10

i stopped smoking at 29 yrs old after close to 15 yrs smoking. i just had a clear chest x ray. what are my future chances of getting lung cancer?

Accepted Answer

Diminishing: It is still possible to acquire lung cancer, but with arresting the injurious process of active smoking it is less likely.

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Doctor answers about:

Chest x ray pneumonia vs lung cancer

A member asked:

Can lung cancer be detected in a chest x-ray for pneumonia?

A member asked:

Can a chest x-ray or echo detect lung cancer?

A member asked:

Can you have lung cancer if have clear chest x-ray (both pa & lateral view) two months ago?

A member asked:

Can you see lung cancer in a chest x-ray?

A member asked:

Would a clear chest x-ray mean there is no lung cancer?

A member asked:

How accurate is a chest x-ray for diagnosing lung cancer?

A member asked:

If lung cancer cannot be detected on chest x-ray what's the point in having one?

A member asked:

Does finding a shadow on a chest x-ray always mean that the person has lung cancer?

A member asked:

Other than chest x-ray, any other ways to look for lung cancer? blood tests, etc.? thank you.

A member asked:

I stopped smoking at 29 yrs old after close to 15 yrs smoking. i just had a clear chest x ray. what are my future chances of getting lung cancer?

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