Question 1

i have uneven pupil dilation. is this harmful or harmless?

Accepted Answer

This Depends: This depends on the degree to which the two pupils are uneven in diameter.  Uneven pupil size is known medically as “anisocoria”.  Anisocoria may result from many conditions, some harmless and some life threatening.  In general, we allow for 1 to 2 millimeters of physiologic (normal) difference in pupil size.  However, if the discrepancy in pupillary diameters exceeds this, a significant underlying problem may exist, especially if new in onset.  The challenge for the clinician is to determine which pupil is the abnormal one: the larger pupil or the smaller pupil.  If the problem lies with the larger pupil, a variety of conditions may be accountable ranging from benign to serious.  A common benign cause of pupil dilation is the inadvertent introduction of a dilating compound into the eye.  For example, a patient using a nasal degongestant/vasoconstrictor spray containing the adrenergic agent neosynephrine may inadvertently spray some into the eye, resulting in pupil dilation.  Likewise, a patient using a scopolamine patch for sea-sickness may inadvertently get some of this anticholinergic agent compound onto his or her hands and rub the eye, resulting in pupil dilation.  Also, people who tend to plants may inadvertently get some sap on their hands and rub the eyes.  The sap of some plants contain belladonna alkaloids which are potent anticholinergics which may result in pupil dilation.  More serious causes of pupil dilation include trauma, resulting in pupillary margin tears, a condition called adie’s tonic pupil and, finally, of greatest concern, a third nerve palsy.  A third nerve palsy with a dilated pupil often results from a cerebral artery aneurysm and is a medical emergency as it may lead to intracranial hemorrhage and death.  Other signs of a third nerve palsy are new onset double vision, a droopy eyelid and the restriction of eye movement such that it moves “down and out”.  If these signs are present, especially if there are attendant headaches, the patient must go to the emergency room immediately for brain imaging and possible neurosurgical intervention.  If the problem is with the smaller pupil, then the list of possible conditions includes, most seriously, a horners syndrome, which results from interruption of the sympathetic nerve chain as it travels from brain, through thorax, back up to eye via internal carotid artery.  Any compressive lesion along this pathway may interrupt nerve impulses directing pupil dilation, resulting in pupil constriction or “miosis”.  Worrisome lesions include certain types of lung cancer and carotid artery dissection which is a medical emergency.  Other signs of horners syndrome include droopy eyelid on the affected side, and decreased sweat production of the facial skin on the side of the problem.

Question 2

mum as lung cancer of left lung shes pallative care n now having bad pain on her right side not were the tumor is wht can this be she is on oramorph?

Accepted Answer

Contact the Dr: The palliative care team needs to be informed of this ASAP. Their mission is to provide your mother with as comfortable a life as possible. They'll respond quickly and helpfully. Call then now! Sorry for your situation and your Mother's distress. I believe the'll help with both.

Question 3

how long will pupil dilation last?

Accepted Answer

Depends...: ..Atropine can last a week. Mydriacyl (tropicamide) about 4 hours.

Question 4

would hypocalcemia cause pupil dilation in response to light?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: Severe hypocalcemia may weaken muscle contraction, which could make the pupils unable to constrict. But it cannot cause a paradoxical dilation of the pupils to light.

Question 5

what does lung cancer look like?

Accepted Answer

See pic: Self explanatory. That yellowish mass is a squamous cell carcinoma of the right lung. This is an autopsy picture.

Question 6

can lung cancer spread in family?

Accepted Answer

Lung Cancer: Lung cancer is not contagious.  But, the reasons people get lung cancer (smoking, chemical exposure, and genetics) can lead to other family members also developing cancer. If you smoke the best possible thing you can do is to stop smoking.

Question 7

if i smoke will i get lung cancer?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily.: Smoking and lung cancer is not a sure think, it is a risk.  A better statement would be, if one smokes, the risk of getting lung cancer increases.

Question 8

could car fumes cause lung cancer?

Accepted Answer

Not likely: The vast majority of lung cancer is caused by smoking - i.e. First hand cigarette smoke. Lung cancer is rare in people who have never smoked. If car exhaust were an important contributor we'd see far more cancer in people who had never smoked.

Question 9

would a body scan show lung cancer?

Accepted Answer

May be: A question of the form can A show B is almost always answered maybe, because you cannot completely exclude the possibility that it may or may not demonstrate the finding in question.

also a mass has to have at least 1,000,000,000 cells before it is visible on a contemporary scan.

Question 10

how do u know when u have lung cancer?

Accepted Answer

Not easy: It is difficult to catch it early. Some people might benefit from regular screening. Symptoms are more likely with advanced cases, they include cough, weight loss, shortness of breath, chest pain .... Etc.

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Doctor answers about:

Lung cancer and uneven pupil dilation

A member asked:

I have uneven pupil dilation. is this harmful or harmless?

A member asked:

Mum as lung cancer of left lung shes pallative care n now having bad pain on her right side not were the tumor is wht can this be she is on oramorph?

A member asked:

How long will pupil dilation last?

A member asked:

Would hypocalcemia cause pupil dilation in response to light?

A member asked:

What does lung cancer look like?

A member asked:

Can lung cancer spread in family?

A member asked:

If i smoke will i get lung cancer?

A member asked:

Could car fumes cause lung cancer?

A member asked:

Would a body scan show lung cancer?

A member asked:

How do u know when u have lung cancer?

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