I have been recently informed that my father has a tumor in the left lung upper portion. Are tumors cancerous,or are there other types of non- cancerous ones? Also,it seems to be affecting his throat with swelling and breathing. Is this common with this condition? What types of treatments might be aval. also,with conditions as this, survival rate and life abilities afterwards?
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. By your history, I think your father has malignant lung tumor. There are two types of lung tumors.1. Benign2. Malignant. Benign tumors are not causing many symptoms. While wheezing, chest pain, swelling in neck etc. are seen in malignant tumor. So in your fathers' case possibility of malignant lung tumor is more. For the diagnosis CT THORAX and Bronchoscopy with lung biopsy is needed. For staging PET SCAN is needed. Treatment and life expectancy is based on type of lung tumor and it's staging. Treatment options are surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. So better to consult oncologist and discuss all these.