Soon to be 83 year old dad just been diagnosed with primary lung cancer.

Hi Star68,

Thank you for contacting Macmillan Cancer Support. My name is David, one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialist’s on the  Macmillan Support Line.

I am sorry to hear your dad has recently been diagnosed with primary lung cancer. This must an extremely worrying time for you all as a family.

We have some good information on Lung Cancer which you may find useful going forward.

There are many different ways of doing a lung biopsy such as through the skin. Another method is called EBUS. Sometimes doctors will perform a Bronchoscopy biopsy.

The team looking after your dad are best placed to answer any questions you have on this and what type of biopsy they will perform.

It is probably unlikely that the antibiotics are the cause of the enlarged lymph node in this case but, there is no harm in asking the team looking after dad.

Good communication is key going forward. Dad may also have a Lung Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). It is a good idea to find out who that is and their phone number as that will be a key line of communication between the family and the hospital.

If lymph nodes are involved (cancer cells present) then a number of treatment options may be considered. However, a number of factors are taken into account.

For example, the stage and type of the cancer and how far it may or may not have spread. Where the cancer is, the persons general health, do they have any underlying conditions? How likely they are to respond to treatment?

So once biopsy results and tests/investigations are complete, the multidisciplinary team (MDT) will discuss the findings. It is only then that a clearer plan will emerge on how best to proceed.

The Roy Castle Foundation and CRUK are also good sources of information and support going forward.  

If there is anything else we can help you with please feel free to get back in touch.

Best wishes

David, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.

Ref/**

DT/AW

Hi David

Thank you for responding. 

My apologies, I know the antibiotics won't be the cause of enlarged lymph nodes but wondered if his infections could be or even his COPD?

Thanks again

Star68

Hi Star68,

Thank you for getting back in touch with Macmillan Cancer Support. My name is Gail, one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialist’s on the  Macmillan Support Line.

You’re correct to say that lymph nodes can become enlarged due to infection. Lymph nodes play an important role in our immune system by moving more white blood cells to areas of inflammation or infection to help fight it off. Typically, after a few days of antibiotics, the swelling reduces, and the nodes return to their normal size. If they remain enlarged, further investigations are usually recommended to explore other possible causes.

A PET-CT scan can help by highlighting areas where cells are more active than usual, which may indicate the presence of cancer. While it doesn’t provide a complete picture on its own, it can help radiologists identify areas that look suspicious. When used alongside a bronchoscopy, this can help provide more definitive answers.

Your hospital team will also be best placed to discuss the scan results with you in detail, as they’ll have access to the full clinical picture and can provide tailored advice.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch again if you have more questions or need further support.

Warm regards,
Gail
Macmillan Support Line Nurse