Lung Cancer Forum - Pneumonia and lung cancer

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Q: Pneumonia and lung cancer

asked by: DoctorQuestion on February 6th, 2008

Six months ago my father, age 68, was diagnosed with stage 3b lung cancer. He is currently on a break after 6 cycles of chemo, but has not "bounced back" as expected - even more tired and his cough has increased. A CT scan this week shows pneumonia in both lungs - or the doc says it's possibly an advancement of the cancer; however he his treating my father with antibiotics for one week and with then reassess. My question, in my father's condition, how serious is pneumonia?

Thank you for your reply.

Replies(2)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on February 11th, 2008

Lung Cancer Answer A3632

One of the side effects of chemotherapy is that it weakens immunity. A weak immune system makes the body susceptible to various infections, including pneumonia. Lung cancer makes the body especially susceptible to the development of lung infections (pneumonia). Your father’s condition (lung cancer complicated with pneumonia) is very serious and unfortunately you can probably expect the worst very soon.

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