Husband taking unnecessary risk

September 14, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Almost two years ago my husband had a CT of the lungs ordered by his regular physician. His scan showed “multiple lymph nodes” and he was referred to a lung specialist, but he refused to go. He canceled his appointment, and no other follow-up has taken place. My husband is a stubborn man sometimes. What does “multiple lymph nodes” mean?

DEAR READER: Lymph nodes are filters within the lymphatic system. Most people are familiar with having “swollen glands” associated with a sore throat. These are, in fact, lymph nodes responding to an infection. These nodes are located throughout the body in the neck, chest, groin, under the arms and other areas, and can swell in response to bacterial and viral infections, inflammation, certain immune disorders and various forms of cancer.
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: ,

A mesothelioma update

April 17, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: In a recent column, you stated that “seven W.R. Grace executives and managers were indicted on 10 federal criminal counts of knowingly endangering the residents of the town of Libby, Mont., and of concealing information regarding the health effects of the company’s mining operations.”

While your column mentions the indictment, there is no mention that all seven executives were found not guilty by a jury in Montana. Can you print an update?

DEAR READER: Yes, I certainly can. I wrote about mesothelioma based on information I received from a reputable television-network commentary and from newspaper articles on the subject. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: ,

Asbestos exposure has devastating results

March 10, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I saw a commentary on television recently about mesothelioma. This sounds simply awful and would like to know more about the topic. Can you fill in the blanks?

DEAR READER: Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that lines a person’s organs and is the result of lead paint and asbestos exposure and, rarely, radiation exposure. There are three forms — plural, pericardial and peritoneal. The pleural form affects the chest cavity and makes up more than 70 percent of all reported cases. The peritoneal form affects the stomach cavity, and the pericardial form occurs in the outside linings of the heart.
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: , , ,

Is spiral CT the answer?

December 9, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My friend told me about a recent news program on television regarding early detection for lung cancer through X-ray. I missed it because I was visiting my father, who is in a nursing home, but I would love to know what this new testing is all about. Can you fill me in on the details?

DEAR READER: I believe the testing you are referring is spiral computed tomography (SCT). These scans are now being performed as a means of early detection for lung cancer in people who smoke or did in the past. Within 12 to 20 seconds, the machine rotates around the patient and creates images that are reconstructed into a three-dimensional model of the lungs.
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: , , , ,

Daily Column

November 1, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am writing regarding the person, who after having two lung x-rays, was found to have a spot on the lung. He was told to wait six months and have another X-ray. I would like to let this person and your readers know about my father-in-law and his experience with a lung spot.

Following an X-ray he was told he had a spot on his lung but the doctor didn’t feel it was anything to worry about. Since he hated going to doctors, he didn’t do anything abut it. Five months later he was in the hospital, diagnosed with lung cancer.

His oncologist recommended chemotherapy and told him he might have about a year to live. My father-in-law went ahead with the chemo but after only two treatments he passed away, just two months after the diagnosis. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: , ,

Daily Column

April 12, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 61-year-old male with no heart problems or recent surgeries. In June 2004 I developed a blood clot in my left lower leg which then resulted in a pulmonary embolus (clot) in my right lung. I was admitted to my local VA hospital and put on 5 mg Coumadin daily. My PT/INR was kept in the 2.0-3.0 range. I continued the medication until October 2006 when I was told I could stop it. All was well until February 2007 when I developed multiple pulmonary emboli in both lungs. This time I did not have any of the leg symptoms. I again went to the VA hospital where I was put on 5 mg of Coumadin every day. I was told that I would now have to take it for the rest of my life.

Because I did not understand why this was happening, I made an appointment with a hematologist (blood specialist). She took blood samples and did a genetic profile. Everything came back negative or normal. She concluded that I now have naturally “clotty” blood and I would have to live with it. There was no identifiable cause.

So now, Dr. Gott, my questions to you are: why, after 58 years of being a “normal blood clotter“, did the above happen to me? Will I really have to be on Coumadin for the rest of my life? Should the VA doctors be doing or have done more for me? Your opinions are appreciated.

DEAR READER:
I don’t know why your blood is now clotting in a dangerous fashion. Your hematologist appears to have run extensive tests and ruled out any genetic factors and disorders as the cause. Therefore, you will need to continue the Coumadin for the rest of life. If you were to discontinue it, you would run a very high risk of developing more pulmonary emboli (blood clots in the lungs). You would also be at higher risk for heart attack and stroke if the clots broke off and were carried to your heart or brain. Sticky blood is especially dangerous and your physicians have taken appropriate steps to normalize your blood and reduce your risk of serious consequences.

Another option to explore, albeit unlikely, is lung cancer. In my practice I have seen several cases where pulmonary emboli were the only symptoms of lung cancer. If you wish to explore this option, I recommend you see a pulmonologist (lung specialist). He or she will most likely take a medical history, do an examination and order some imaging studies of your lungs.

Let me know what happens.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Pulmonary Disease”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: , , , , ,

Daily Column

April 7, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I’m 73 years old and have been told by two doctors (after having two lung X-rays one month apart) that I have a small spot on my lung. The last doctor said it is probably scar tissue. I have never smoked, had pneumonia or any other disease or illness that might have caused this. The doctors just attribute it to age. The latest advice was to wait six months and have another X-ray to see if the spot has enlarged.

Can you shed any light on this? Do you think it’s advisable to wait six months or should I go to a pulmonary doctor?

DEAR READER:
I advise you not to wait. Were I in your shoes, I would opt to discover what the “spot” is now, not later.

You need to have proof that the “small spot” is benign and not an early lung cancer. In my opinion, you should be referred to a pulmonary specialist who may choose to obtain a CT scan or MRI possibly followed by a biopsy of the lesion. Depending on the outcome of the tests, the specialist can then advise whether treatment is necessary, and if so, can provide you with appropriate options.

While I may be over-reacting, I would hate to miss diagnosing an early lung malignancy that could be cured if addressed early in the course of the disease. Let me know how this turns out.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Pulmonary Disease” and “Medical Specialists”. Other readers who would like copies should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 (per report) to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: , , , , , ,