perihilar infiltrate

Hi @joelars, here is some information on what infiltrate means: https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/1094

Then here is an explanation of the perihilar region: https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/hilum-of-the-lung
*Note where it says "Finally, the area surrounding the hilum of the lung is called the perihilar region."

So I think what a perihilar infiltrate would mean is that there was/is a substance denser than air in the perihilar region of your right lung.

This is my best explanation of what this means, but it would be best to check with your Doctor to be sure, and find out if there is anything you need to do to treat it.

@joelars - Good morning. I'm sorry to hear that you have been ill. I had pneumonia a couple of years ago and it wasn't fun. I am a 22+ year lung cancer survivor with COPD and Emphysema. @ethanmcconkey is correct in his definition of perihilia infiltrate. The denser than air is a fancy schmancy term for pus, protein, or blood. They are very common and associated with pneumonia and a couple of other lung illnesses. I imagine that the medicines that you were sent home with will help get rid of them and that you will be feeling much better sooner than later.

my fear is they misread infiltrate and it is really a tumor. The docs in the hospital weren't very concerned, but how likely is it that it is a tumor?

@joelars- Lots of medical terms are confusing. To infiltrate (a verb) is to enter or gain access synonyms:penetrate, invade, intrude on, insinuate oneself into, worm one's way into, sneak into, slip into, creep into, impinge on, trespass on, butt into;(google). A tumor is a solid mass. You could ask the radiologist to show you the films. I don't know the odds of you developing a tumor. DO you have lung cancer? What is your lung history?

i do not have lung cancer. I quit smoking 13 years ago. I was scanned for 10. I was clean. I do have copd.

@joelars- Here is some more information for you. We aren't doctors on Connect. If you have concerns that this can lead to cancer, or what may be the long term effects of perihilar infiltrate I urge you to contact your doctor. I would if I were you. Google questions to ask about it too.
fhttps://www.steadyhealth.com/topics/what-are-perihilar-infiltrates; https://www.steadyhealth.com/topics/what-are-perihilar-infiltrates
https://www.rightdiagnosis.com/symptoms/perihilar_or_diffuse_infiltrates/common.htm

this is my concern: 2 weeks ago I was diagnosed with pneumonia. My chest x-ray showed a small area of infiltrate on the right lung. The doctors assured me it was not a tumor but an infection. I was given intravenous antibiotics. They worked within 2 days. I was released in 4 with oral antibiotics and told I was fine
I followed up with my doctor. He sent me for an x-ray (10 days after the hospital release). His office called shortly after telling me to make an appointment. at my earliest convenience. I missed the call. The next day was saturday. I called and left a message asking if I had cancer. The office called back (I missed it) telling me not to worry and that they would schedule me for wednesday evening. I called again asking if I had lung cancer. The doctor called back (Again I missed it) and said there was no need to worry , no need to rush he just wants to discuss the results and the next step., but since I was so concerned he'd move the appointment to monday.
Is it possible that the hospital missed the tumor because it was hidden by the infection and by the time I had the repeat x-ray the infection cleared and the tumor visible And the doctor refuses to tell me over the phone?

@joelars- Ah! Now I see. Doctor's messages can be scary, especially when they don't leave a whole message. Unless you have a tiny lung lesion that may or not be cancer, the chances of missing a larger one is pretty rare, although it does happen. Ask to see the scans. If you had cancer the chances are that your Dr. Wouldn't be playing phone tag with you.
I got my call within several minutes of having a scan.
Monday is tomorrow. Please try and relax. There's nothing you can do about it until you see your Dr.
Since you were hospitalized you were pretty I'll. The infection could have caused some scaring so he might want to talk about that. He might want to talk about changing your inhaler. Trying to second guess your dr's call will just drive you crazy.

I was pretty sick but I felt pretty normal within a few days after the antibiotics. He is a g.p. not a pulmonologist. Are you a lung cancer survivor?

@joelars. Yes I am.