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What is the difference between MAC disease and bronchiecstasis? Also my mom has several nodules in her lower. Does that make a difference rather than just 1 nodule? Also how do they determine if it's cancerous?
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I had a biopsy. To check. I know the whole thing is scary
@cemcflc Nodules are common in this type of infection. They don't always occur, and they sometimes disappear after treatment. The CT scan will be more revealing of what is going on in your mom's lungs. Somehow, doctors can tell it nodules appear cancerous by the scan, when in doubt, they do a biopsy. Bronchiectasis is a structural lung disease that can, but not always progress. MAC is a bacteria in the environment, it is everywhere. When people have a lung disease, it leaves them open to catching MAC and other types of infections. People with weak immune systems are also suseptible to getting MAC.
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Here is some information about MAC: https://www.webmd.com/hiv-aids/guide/aids-hiv-opportunistic-infections-mycobacterium-avium-complex#1
And here is some information about bronchiectasis: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/brn
When you have bronchiectasis, the condition makes it easy for bacteria to be trapped in thick mucus causing infections like MAC.