Troubles

Question

Good afternoon, I would like to know: do blood tests show if subject is ill with oncologic lung disease, mother many years has troubles, episodically coughs with green phlegm, she had seen a dash of blood, and sweats a lot, underwent different examinations, however pulmonologist had not found any lung disorder, now she complain with chest pain and pain on the right just below ribs. We don’t know where apply for help. Thank you.

Answer

Dear questioner,
Thank you very much for question. Routine blood tests do not help to diagnose oncologic lung diseases. There are some blood tests named cancer markers, however they are expensive and not very specific. Purulent phlegm, episodic hemoptysis and sweat may be caused by disorders named chronic bronchitis or bronchiectasis. If your mother had not undergone chest computed tomography scanning and sputum examination, I strongly recommend doing it. After these examinations, bronchoscopy may be necessary.
Hemoptysis and chest pain may be caused by heart disease as well. Abdomen pain on the right just below ribs may be due to gallstones. I recommend discussing with your family physician about his possibilities and necessity of additional examinations.
Sincerely,
Edvardas Danila, Assoc. Prof.

12.06.2009