Can I get help understanding a medical diagnosis mother?!
Question:
Can I get help understanding a medical diagnosis mother?
On behalf of my Mother and our family I hope there is someone out there who can translate the below. We're prepared for the worst but my mother can't get consultant to put it in plain English - or give her a timeframe.
Some background first:
My mother is 63. No pain. Always small/slight but in last month gone from 36kg to 34kg. Lost 1kg in last 2 weeks.
Diagnosis: Bilateral centrilobular emphysema. Right lung clear. There is a 8.3x6.3cm mass in left lower lobe containing focal area of necrosis. There is a 1.1cm subcarinal lymph node. Focal area of low attenuation within the R lobe of liver and adjacent to the falciform ligament likely focal fatty infiltration. There are subcentimeter retroperitoneal and upper abdominal lymph nodes.
Conclusion:
Large left lower lobe lung mass with necrosis is suspicious for bronchogenic carcinoma
1.1 cm subcarinal lymph node
A focal low attenuation liver lesion, likely focal fatty infiltration
Hopefully someone can be honest with us and translate.
Answers:
Bronchogenic carcinoma is a cancerous tumor originating in the bronchi. Necrosis is a type of cell death in which cells swell and break open, release their contents and can damage neighboring cells and provoke inflammation, which is happening in the lungs. The Lymph node is a small oval or round gland that makes up part of the immune system that removes bacteria and foreign particles from the body. If it is at 1.1cm it can be harmful to the body as less bacteria can be removed. I'm really sorry.