lung cancer

My husband has been suffering from high fever and coughs accompanied with chest pain for the past one month. General medicines have failed to cure him. An X-ray report has revealed a black patch on his lung. Doctors say it may be anything from tuberculosis to cancer. My husband doesn’t smoke. If it’s cancer, what could be the reasons behind it? What should I do now?

Your letter does not mention your husband’s age and whether he has any history of weight loss. That could have been more informative. Further investigations ? thorough clinical examination, CT scan with FNAC (Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology) and fibre optic bronchoscopy, if required ? are needed to reach a diagnosis. This will facilitate treatment. Lung cancer can occur in non-smokers also, but the incidence is definitely less than that in smokers. The primary factor that causes lung cancer is smoking. It increases probability of lung cancer by 20 per cent. The other factors are job conditions (working in smoke-yielding industry), environmental pollution, etc. Chronic lung disease like bronchitis could be another cause of lung cancer. Other chronic diseases like tuberculosis scars the lungs followed by the development of carcinoma (malignant tumour).

breast lump

I am a 53-year-old woman. My right breast had been operated two years ago for breast cancer. For the past three months, a lump has formed in the same position and it’s gradually increasing in size. I am extremely scared. Can breast cancer recur after two or three years after an operation? What could be the reasons behind this recurrence?

You must immediately see your doctor. Yes, breast cancer can recur in the same area after two or three years or may be more. Your lump needs to be tested clinically. An FNAC of the lump would be extremely helpful in reaching a diagnosis. Moreover, one would also require the rest of your treatment details including the histopathology (biopsy) report, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and radiotherapy if any. Recurrence can be possible because of an aggressive biological behaviour of the primary disease or may be the previous treatment was inadequate.

cracked voice

I (28) have been suffering from a cracked voice for the past three months. It seems as if something is obstructing my voice. I find it extremely difficult to swallow anything. What could be the reasons behind my ailment? An ENT specialist has advised a biopsy, but I am afraid. Does biopsy spread cancer?

A cracked voice could be because of a range of simple causes like acute pharyngitis, singers’nodule (nodule that develops in vocal cord due to over use, misuse and abuse of voice), fungal infection in the vocal cord, etc. However, your inability to swallow raises the suspicion of a malignancy as well. A cracked voice, in the case of malignancy, may be due to primary involvement of the vocal cords or nerve palsy. Biopsy is absolutely safe and a standard mode of diagnosis of cancer globally.

blood with cough

My sister (47) has been coughing blood for the past few days. She is also suffering from a breathing problem. What could be the reasons behind this?

In our country, the most common cause of coughing blood is tuberculosis and other chest infections, which can also cause breathing problems. But lung cancer cannot be ruled out at this stage. You should immediately consult a doctor and should also take your sister for a chest x-ray, bronchoscopy and sputum examination.

jaw tumour

I am 34 years old. Most of the teeth in my lower jaw have become loose in the past few months. I can’t eat properly. An x-ray has revealed a tumour on the lower jaw. What should I do?

You must see an oncologist at the earliest. You must also go for a biopsy. Cancer of the gum can eat into the bones of the jaw, which results in the teeth becoming loose.