Question 1

tb scar on lungs was treated frm tb last year. is is possible to get lung cancer or any other disease bcz of d tb scars? wat r d health risks?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Used to be relatively common, but since TB is much less common now, the number is low in the us.
Regular followup is appropriate with ct scans.

Question 2

i had tb 6 years ago, and made a scar on my right upper lung. is there a possibility that it will be rem0ved?

Accepted Answer

Very doubtful: Pulmonary scarring is not uncommon wuth tb.  There's no medical reason to remove it unless you are having symptoms like coughing blood.

Question 3

ca tb scars cause lung cancer even if non- smoker?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but very rarely: Quit worrying about it. Otherwise you will become a hypochondriac very soon.

Question 4

how can old tb scars cause lung cancer in non smoker?

Accepted Answer

They do not but: Cancer develops when immunity surveillance decreases by age, infections and genetic alterations..... 
Etiology of lung cancer in non- smokers is unclear but genetic alteration is largely to blame. Air pollution and second- and third- hand smoking could play a part. Tb scar in the lung could be a milieu or area for developing cancer to nest in....But, this is very rare. Thank you.

Question 5

can a previous tb scar cause lung cancer even if non-smoker?

Accepted Answer

Cannot say no: While there have been studies associating an increased risk of certain lung cancers in people with a history of tuberculosis, there is no proof that the infection causes cancer.  Correlation is not the same as causation.  So i can't say no, but i can't say yes either!

Question 6

can tb lympadentitis cause lung scars without having pulmonary tb?

Accepted Answer

Hmmm...: Although possible, it seems very unlikely to have isolated TB lymphadenopathy.  What is more likely is that pulmonary TB is present and has caused the scarring.

Question 7

undergone a chest xray today and they found a scar in my lungs. i dont hav tb symptoms or is it possible bcos when i had bronchitis in the past?

Accepted Answer

A scar: doesn't have to be from TB, it could be from any prior inflammation/infection or trauma.

Question 8

what is the life expectancy with pulmonary tb scars? shall i get married? will the fibrotic element in my upper lung due to tb cause prblems in future

Accepted Answer

Enjoy life: Always have a good primary care doctor, and always buy good, non-hmo insurance so that doctors have plenty of time to take care of you. See the doctor for ill symptoms and for regular check-ups. Other than that, one can live life as if there were no TB lung scars, after finishing treatment. That means go out, meet people, get married, have children and grandchildren, and live happily ever after.

Question 9

will tb scars cause breathing problems? is oxygen therapy needed? in future when i conceive will it effect my lungs?

Accepted Answer

TB: You should discuss your status with your physicians who know you. Tb can cause breathing difficulties if it is extensive enough but often doesn't if it has been treated early. What your future is related to it can't be predicted from out here without much more data which your doctors likely have and can explain to you.

Question 10

hi doctor, m cured frm tb bt tb left scars..can i get lung cancer/any other disease bcz of tb scars? 22 year old female. i don't smoke. plz reply me.

Accepted Answer

Don't worry: We've both been cured of TB and that's a good thing. The tiny statistical cancer risk that these old scars pose (and not everybody believe they even do) isn't something we can do anything about. You can't remove the scar, and nowadays it's not considered even worth getting radiation to look for it. Just be grateful that TB is now manageable. Best wishes.

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Doctor answers about:

Tb scars on lungs

A member asked:

Tb scar on lungs was treated frm tb last year. is is possible to get lung cancer or any other disease bcz of d tb scars? wat r d health risks?

A member asked:

I had tb 6 years ago, and made a scar on my right upper lung. is there a possibility that it will be rem0ved?

A member asked:

Ca tb scars cause lung cancer even if non- smoker?

A member asked:

How can old tb scars cause lung cancer in non smoker?

A member asked:

Can a previous tb scar cause lung cancer even if non-smoker?

A member asked:

Can tb lympadentitis cause lung scars without having pulmonary tb?

A member asked:

Undergone a chest xray today and they found a scar in my lungs. i dont hav tb symptoms or is it possible bcos when i had bronchitis in the past?

A member asked:

What is the life expectancy with pulmonary tb scars? shall i get married? will the fibrotic element in my upper lung due to tb cause prblems in future

A member asked:

Will tb scars cause breathing problems? is oxygen therapy needed? in future when i conceive will it effect my lungs?

A member asked:

Hi doctor, m cured frm tb bt tb left scars..can i get lung cancer/any other disease bcz of tb scars? 22 year old female. i don't smoke. plz reply me.

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