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Old 04-26-2012, 10:17 AM
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Dr. Smith Dr. Smith is offline
Senior Member (**Dr Smith is named after a character from Lost in Space, not a medical doctor)
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lost in Space
Posts: 3,515
10 yr Member
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shezian View Post
It's is a generic list of tets attatched to my report, so it's not directed at me personally, he gives it to all patients with PN.
So it's up to me to decide if l get it done or not.
Sue,

If it were me, I would look at my probability/risks for a lung problem of this sort (cancer) - Anyone in the family had it, smoker, job or other exposure to carcinogens like asbestos, history of other cancer, etc. Then I would have a discussion with the doctor to find out why a catscan vs. x-ray (which I wouldn't be so hesitant about) and if a standard x-ray will suffice. Is he screening for other cancers as well? Is there some blood test result that's raising some suspicion?

What I find curious/puzzling is why a catscan (given what's known about them today and the rarity of this type of PN) would be given as a generic screening(?) but I'm not a doctor. I am curious as to the answer.

Quote:
Paraneoplastic neuropathies (PN) are rare, affecting approximately 4-5% of patients with cancer.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10738514
(That's 4-5% of patients with cancer - NOT 4-5% of patients with PN)

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Dr. Zachary Smith
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Dr. Smith is NOT a medical doctor. He was a character from LOST IN SPACE.
All opinions expressed are my own. For medical advice/opinion, consult your doctor.
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"Thanks for this!" says:
Shezian (05-15-2012)