Does shadow on chest X ray automatically mean lung cancer?

Question

My mum had bladder surgery on Friday, but didnt recover well, but docs did a chest x ray as her oxygen levels were low and she fainted twice. They say they saw a shadow on her lungs or one lung and she is waiting for a scan now, the docs told my mum it could be a chest infection or blood clot as she has had a cough for 6 months too and brings up stuff sometimes, not blood though. My mum had never smoked in her life and is not really subject to passive smoking, but all I can think is cancer!!

Does anyone have information to the contrary, or know the chances of it being something else?

Many thanks

Thanks for taking the time to reply at put me at ease somewhat, hopefully she'll have the scan today.

Answer 1

funny looking things on chest xrays can be anything, including old scarring. Most of the time they aren't anything to worry about, but I commend your doctors for checking it out.

Try not to worry too much, your mum probably doesn't have any thing awful wrong, or it would have shown up before this.

anyway, good luck to you and your mum, I'll keep my fingers crossed for her.

Answer 2

Could be about anything. A shadow on a chest xray is nothing to worry yourself over. Wait till you get your retake done and then see what they have to say. Most of the time it is nothing. X rays are very very vague in there findings. Shadows could be anything from your nipple to a fold in your skin from the way you were standing. By all means have more test done, but don't make yourself sick over this until you have more information. X rays of the chest seem to have a lot of false findings. Good luck. : )

Answer 3

It could definitely be an infection. I've had pneumonia show up on one of my chest x-rays as a shadow before.

Scar tissue is something else that can show up as a shadow on an x-ray, although I think this would be much less likely than an infection.

Answer 4

could be pneumonia. do not assume cancer. be aware of worst case senario but wait for the results to freak out. i know, easier said than done. best of luck to your mom and try to take it easy. perhaps talking to your mom will relieve both of your anxiety? best wishes.