Black Blood Mucus (Phlegm)

[bang]

Hi,

This morning I woke up and had black mucus. I am an ex-smoker who quite 6 years ago. I did not feel any fever, short breath or else. Should I be worry? I could not see any more blood in mucus during the day after that morning. On my previous post, a 6 mm nodule found in my Left Lungia. I met my doctor to follow up that but no CT Scan was scheduled. Is it always related to lung cancer?  

Thanks. 

 

[Tom Galli]

Bang,

Welcome.

Expelling black mucus, should you worry? Yes. You should see a doctor and you should discuss your medical history including the 6mm nodule discovery. If the follow-up physician was your general practice physician, I'd consider a consultation with a pulmonologist.

I'm not sure what the "it" refers to in you last sentence but I'll make some assumptions. Is expelling blood while coughing always related  to lung cancer? No but it is a serious condition warranting medical investigation. Is a 6mm lung nodule always related to lung cancer? No but the combination of a discovered nodule and the coughing episode warrant investigation. If it were me in your circumstances, I'd take my scan report with me to a pulmonologist consultation.

Stay the course.

Tom

[bang]

Thanks Tom,

The it is refer to black mucus, is it always refer to lung cancer? As you have answered not always.  Sorry for not making clear. I did not coughing though. It just I had to split it out. 

should the blood in mucus be expecting to happen more to be considered as a early symptom of lung cancer or sometime once is enough ?

Cheers,

Bang

 

 

[Tom Galli]

Bang,

I can't answer your blood in mucus frequency question. Again, if it were me, I'd be booking a consultation with a pulmonary specialist.

Stay the course.

Tom

[bang]

Thanks Again. WIll do your suggestion.

[TJM]

Bang

I 100% agree with Tom If you know you have a 6mm nodule then you must have done some diagnostic.

Curious where you live.

Peace

Tom

[bang]

Hi Tom,

I live in Houston.

For the 6 mm nodule, I have discussed with my pulmonologist, and he asked me to do CT scan in December, I met him in may.

At the moment I am out of town, but has dropped an email to the pulmonologist. I have arranged for early CT scan too.

Cheers,

Bang

[Judy M2]

Black usually means blood. Do you take blood thinners? If so, it makes sense to also see your cardiologist. Let us know how things shake out. 

[LouT]

Bang,

Don't get confused by different doctors.  Your pulmonologist is likely not aware of the phlegm you describe so, since most nodules are benign he had decided to look at it again in December.  Mostly to see if there is any growth or changes that would concern him.  I'm glad you emailed him, but you need to "round up" your PCP and any other doctors you're seeing regarding the nodule and get these symptoms checked out thoroughly.  Tom nailed the reality, it doesn't have to be cancer, but anytime you have dark blood exiting your body, it is reason for concern.  Being someone who spent the better part of 35 years in airports and foreign countries I understand "being out of town", but I would prioritize this. 

Lou