copd

[gjohnson]

My father had a chest ct scan that showed a nodule. The doctor will not say whether it is cancer or not just that it has grown since his last ct scan 6 mo's ago. He said get another ct in 6 months and it has been about a year. He also said "your dad is 83, not sure treatment would be an option"  Dad does not want to go back. He is 83, smoked for years but quit for a long time. Now he has shortness of breath, swelling in one foot, and is pale and sometimes his color is purpleish. His stomach is distended also. He blows through his mouth when walking and I hear a "whistling" quite often when he is just sitting. I think he may have COPD although he does not have a cough? Or is this maybe from the nodule and is it signs of lung cancer? He wont go back to the doctor and says if it gets too bad he will. Not sure what to do. Gayle

[gjohnson]

Thank you. He has an appt today for bleeding in the ear. When i made the appt for him i requested they check out his shortness of breath, coloring, etc. I may get in trouble because my dad is in somewhat of denial about the whole thing. I just know like you said he could feel better with some treatment. Besides all his friends tell me something should be done. I really feel like the doc should have picked up on this with his swelling leg and all. Thank you again for your answer.

[National Jewish Health]

Your description of your father's symptoms does indeed suggest the diagnosis of COPD and, even at age 83, it is likely that he would benefit from drug therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation, including an exercise program.  He might also be suffering from oxygen deprivation, in which case his life and health could be improved by the provision of supplemental oxygen.  With the exception of cough, his symptoms would not be caused by a nodule.  

You should ask his doctor whether he and the radiologist  believe the nodule to be cancer or not and, if not why not?  Also ask him for a more definite answer to the question, "is treatment an option."?  If not, why not and if yes, specifically what treatment would they be considering, for example surgery vs. radiation therapy.  You and your father have a right to get answers to these questions.  You may have to get a consultation from a pulmonary specialist to get  valid answers.