Chest Ache and Lung Cancer?? - Cancer: Lung Message Board

dukert · 04-07-2006, 09:38 AM

Just a quick question to those of you knowledgable regarding lung cancer....is chest and back ache typically a late stage lung cancer symptom?? I am a former smoker...quit 14 years ago.. Would you likely have a cough? I have had 0 weight loss, no fatigue, lumps, blood, or cough...only rela symptom is ches..back.. and shoulder ache...not constant or severe. And, I had a chest x-ray in December,05 for the chest ache and it was clear[would that normally mean its ok since I was having chest ache at that time?]...feels like skekltal- muscle...sorry to bother you but I am a worrier, and have had this ache for four to five months...it has not gotton worse or better.

Thank you and God Bless you all. I would appreciate your advise.

Robin M · 04-07-2006, 11:26 AM

dukert...if you have health insurance, I would recommend getting a Cat scan soon - don't let it go too long, just incase it is something you need fixed! You should know by now that early detection is 75% of the battle in lung cancer! I should listen to my own advice, too! Good luck and get going!

tuckygal · 04-07-2006, 12:08 PM

dukert, Robin's advice in right on the mark. Don't delay about getting checked out further. It is so much better to find out for sure. I pray for you that is turns out to be nothing as bad as lung cancer, but early detection is the key to survival. I am here to promise you that. God bless, Pat

dukert · 04-07-2006, 09:34 PM

Cat Scan...ok, but won't a chest xray normally determine if one has lung cancer??

Grand Rapids · 04-08-2006, 07:16 AM

Chest X Rays are not adequate to find small lung nodules. I have a nodule that they fortunately caught on an X ray during an annual physical and the doc then did a CAT Scan that showed it's size (2.0 x 1.9 cm) The scan can also show that there is no other involvement in the lymph nodes. The CT also found a smaller 4 mm nodule that the doc isn't too concerned about yet. I don't know yet if it's malignant, but I do know it needs attention immediately and I am awaiting PET scan results now and already have a consultation set up with a thoracic surgeon.

I would plead with the doc for a CAT scan - they are painless and take abut 15 minutes.

Tom