“Lung cyst: Definition, causes, treatment, outlook, and more - Medical News Today” plus 1 more

“Lung cyst: Definition, causes, treatment, outlook, and more - Medical News Today” plus 1 more


Lung cyst: Definition, causes, treatment, outlook, and more - Medical News Today

Posted: 08 Mar 2021 12:00 AM PST

Cysts that occur in the lungs are called pulmonary cysts. Instead of containing fluid, they usually contain gas. They can develop as a person ages. However, they may also indicate an underlying medical condition.

Lung cysts have many potential causes and can cause severe complications without detection and treatment.

This article will discuss what pulmonary cysts are, why they occur, and the treatment options available. It will also look at when a person should seek medical help.

Healthcare professionals define a pulmonary cyst as a round space with a wall that usually has a thickness of up to 2–3 millimeters (mm).

Although these cysts occasionally contain fluid or solid material, they typically contain gas.

According to an older 2010 article in the American Journal of Roentgenology, there are several different types of lung cyst:

  • Blebs and bullae: These are small collections of gas that usually occur between the lung and the outer surface of the lung. Blebs are under 1 centimeter (cm) in diameter, and bullae are over 1 cm in diameter. Bullae can become substantial in size and can sometimes take up an entire lobe of the lung.
  • Honeycombing: This occurs when there are multiple cysts of different sizes and thicknesses in multiple layers. It results in a pattern resembling a honeycomb.
  • Pneumatocele: This term refers to bullae that form after trauma to the lung due to conditions such as pneumonia or inhaling certain gases.

The symptoms of lung cysts may vary depending on the cause of the cysts.

Some people may have no symptoms at all. If symptoms do develop, however, they may include:

  • difficulty breathing
  • pain while breathing
  • wheezing
  • shortness of breath
  • frequently developing pneumonia

Some research suggests that singular lung cysts can develop as a person ages.

However, they may also occur due to cystic lung disease. Cystic lung disease includes a group of conditions wherein multiple cysts have developed. Healthcare professionals may diagnose cystic lung disease if there are five or more cysts present.

Some causes of lung cysts include:

Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome

Birt-Hogg-Dubé (BHD) syndrome is a rare hereditary condition that develops due to mutations of certain genes.

Healthcare professionals initially thought that it was a skin condition. However, it can also cause lung cysts.

According to the BHD Foundation, 9 out of 10 people with BHD may experience blebs or bullae pulmonary cysts.

Treatment

To treat the cysts, a healthcare professional may recommend a blebectomy or a bullectomy. These are surgical procedures to remove the cysts.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare condition that occurs almost only in females. It mostly affects the lungs, but it can also affect the kidneys and lymphatic system.

A genetic change affects abnormal cells called LAM cells, which causes them to grow throughout the lungs. This causes cysts, which can prevent oxygen from getting to the rest of the body.

Symptoms typically begin when a person is aged 20–40 years. They may include:

  • chest pain when inhaling
  • fatigue
  • collapsed lung, or pneumothorax
  • swollen lymph nodes
  • shortness of breath
  • wheezing
  • frequent cough

Treatment

Treatment may involve:

  • mTOR inhibitors, to regulate the growth of LAM cells
  • bronchodilators, to help improve breathing
  • oxygen therapy

The only cure for LAM is a lung transplant.

Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) causes cysts to appear in the lungs. The cysts typically measure up to 10 mm in diameter. However, they can become as large as 20 mm.

PLCH occurs overwhelmingly in those who smoke, with 90–100% of people with PLCH falling into this category.

Symptoms may include:

  • breathlessness
  • fever
  • night sweats
  • weight loss
  • dry coughing

Treatment

A person with PLCH should try to quit smoking. This can result in complete remission.

Other than quitting smoking, research suggests that there is no effective treatment.

Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia

Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP) is a group of symptoms that includes the development of lung cysts and:

  • shortness of breath
  • weight loss
  • fever
  • cough

Some research suggests that the cysts appear in approximately 80% of cases. Typically, only a few cysts appear, and they develop in both lungs.

They tend to measure up to 3 cm in diameter and vary in shape.

There is an association with underlying conditions such as HIV, Sjögren's disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Treatment

Treatment varies depending on the underlying cause of the LIP.

Other causes

Other conditions that may cause lung cysts include:

  • centrilobular and paraseptal emphysema, which are forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • amyloidosis, which is a group of conditions that occur when a protein called amyloid builds up in the organs
  • pneumonia
  • some types of cancer, including:
    • metastatic cancer
    • squamous carcinoma
    • adenocarcinoma

A healthcare professional may ask about a person's medical history and perform the following tests to diagnose the underlying condition causing lung cysts:

  • physical examinations
  • blood tests
  • imaging tests, such as CT scans

A solitary lung cyst may not be a cause for concern. This is because it may be the result of a person aging.

However, frequent or persistent cysts may indicate an underlying condition, and the outlook will vary depending on which condition a person has.

Lung cysts can cause pneumothorax, or collapsed lung.

This can happen when air gets into the space around a person's lungs, such as if a lung cyst ruptures and the gas escapes into the pleural space.

If a person has a family history of lung cysts or any condition that may be known to cause lung cysts, they should speak with a doctor about their screening options.

Screening may involve having regular chest scans to keep an eye out for lung cysts so the doctor can start to monitor them before they cause a collapsed lung.

Smoking has associations with a variety of lung conditions, including lung cysts.

As a result, those who smoke may have a higher chance of developing cysts in their lungs.

If possible, those who smoke should consider quitting.

Learn about how to give up smoking here.

Lung cysts may be a part of aging. However, they may indicate some serious underlying conditions.

Detection usually only occurs when a person is having a scan for other reasons. However, if a person is experiencing breathlessness or other symptoms that may be cause for concern, they should seek medical advice.

What are the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines, and should you worry? - Medical News Today

Posted: 22 Mar 2021 11:34 AM PDT

The table below gives an overview of the 13 authorized vaccines, categorized by type, based on how they function. It also shows their efficacy.

Each of the following vaccines has received use authorization in at least one country.

* Covishield is the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine produced for India.

Vaccines allow the body to build immunity by activating T and B lymphocytes, cells that, respectively, recognize the targeted virus and produce antibodies to combat it.

A vaccine cannot cause COVID-19. No vaccine contains a complete form of the virus responsible for this illness.

While their body builds immunity, it is normal for a person to experience minor side effects.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), common side effects of a COVID-19 vaccine include:

  • a fever
  • fatigue
  • headaches
  • body aches
  • chills
  • nausea

A person might also experience side effects around the injection site, which is usually the upper arm. These might include swelling, pain, redness, an itchy rash, and other mild forms of irritation. People sometimes refer to this issue as COVID arm.

Health authorities recognize that each of the 13 authorized COVID-19 vaccines can cause side effects. These are often mild and last for only a few days. They are not unexpected.

Every vaccine facility in the United States has to report specific post-vaccination symptoms, known as adverse events, to the government's Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Individuals can also submit reports through the VAERS portal.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), CDC, and other regulatory agencies are closely monitoring VAERS to scrutinize the safety of the vaccines used in the U.S.

Similar systems are in place in other countries. In the United Kingdom, for example, the scheme is called Yellow Card. The European Union asks people to report suspected side effects to their healthcare practitioners or fill out dedicated online forms.

Rarely, a person experiences an allergic reaction to one or more of the ingredients in a vaccine. They might develop hives or another type of skin rash, swelling, and respiratory symptoms.

A severe allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis, and it involves low blood pressure, nausea, and difficulty breathing, among other symptoms.

Anaphylaxis is an extremely rare side effect of vaccination. According to the CDC, around 2–5 people per million, or fewer than 0.001% of people vaccinated in the U.S. have experienced anaphylaxis afterward.

Allergic reactions to mRNA vaccines have been of particular concern, as they contain a chemical, called polyethylene glycol (PEG), that has never been used in an approved vaccine before. PEG is in many drugs that have occasionally triggered anaphylaxis. In these vaccines, it coats the mRNA molecule and supports penetration into cells.

There are similar concerns about the Janssen vaccine, which contains polysorbate 80, a chemical that is structurally related to PEG.

A study of data about allergic reactions to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines noted that most people who experienced anaphylaxis afterward had a history of allergies and this particular severe reaction.

The data suggest that there is a very low risk of anaphylaxis as a result of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Regardless, the CDC recommend that vaccine administrators conduct prescreening for specific allergic reactions. These vaccines are safe for people with common allergies, such as to foods, pets, environmental elements, latex, and oral medications.

The CDC also recommend that anyone who has had an allergic reaction to one dose of a vaccine not receive a second dose of the same type of vaccine.

Side effects appear to be more commonly reported in women than men. A study by CDC researchers shows that 78.7% of adverse event reports submitted during the first month of U.S. vaccination involved women.

Another study observed that females represented 15 out of 16 people with anaphylaxis after a vaccine.

These findings are in line with a 2013 study on the H1N1 vaccine during the 2009 flu pandemic, which found higher rates of hypersensitivity reactions among females of childbearing age than other groups in the study population.

Reproductive hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, may play a role in this sex discrepancy. A study in mice suggests that estrogen causes the body to generate more antibodies, leading to a higher immune response.

Recently, there have been new concerns about serious side effects of COVID-19 vaccines.

These effects may be coincidental, and there is currently not enough conclusive evidence to link these effects to specific vaccines. However, regulatory agencies are taking precautionary measures to investigate these safety concerns.

Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna

The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are both two-dose mRNA vaccines. People have reported similar, common side effects after the second doses of each.

These COVID-19 vaccines are the first vaccines approved for use in humans that incorporate mRNA technology. As a result, there are concerns about the long-term effects and a risk of altering the body's genetic information.

People may be unaware that researchers have spent many years studying the potential of mRNA vaccine technology. There have been efforts to develop mRNA vaccines in the past, including Moderna's human-based trial of an mRNA Zika virus vaccine.

Furthermore, it is unlikely that an mRNA vaccine can alter genetic information. The mRNA in a vaccine does not enter the nucleus of a cell, where DNA is stored, and it degrades rather quickly in the body after it serves its purpose.

Yet many were alarmed by reports from Norway that 23 people had died shortly after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. However, there is no evidence that these deaths were a direct result of the vaccine.

"There is a possibility that these common adverse reactions — that are not dangerous in fitter, younger patients and are not unusual with vaccines —may aggravate underlying disease in the elderly," suggests Dr. Steinar Madsen, the medical director of the Norwegian Medicines Agency.

"We are now asking for doctors to continue with the vaccination, but to carry out extra evaluation of very sick people whose underlying condition might be aggravated by it," he adds.

Another death, which occurred in the U.S., was associated with having a low blood platelet count, or thrombocytopenia. So far, 20 thrombocytopenia cases have developed following either a Pfizer or Moderna vaccination. Currently, however, no causal evidence links these cases with the vaccines.

Other concerns involve pregnancy and fertility. According to a February 2021 statement from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine:

"While fertility was not specifically studied in the clinical trials of the vaccine, no loss of fertility has been reported among trial participants or among the millions who have received the vaccines since their authorization, and no signs of infertility appeared in animal studies. Loss of fertility is scientifically unlikely."

In a press statement later the same month, Pfizer and BioNTech announced that they have begun a COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial in 4,000 healthy pregnant women to explore the efficacy and safety for the participants and their babies. The results will hopefully provide further insight.

Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)

The Janssen vaccine can also cause common vaccine side effects.

The vaccine's product information document provides details about precautions to take and the expected effects.

Oxford-AstraZeneca and Serum Institute of India

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and Danish Health Authority recently observed that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been followed by incidents of blood clots.

Of the 5 million people who received this vaccine, there have been 30 reported cases of blood clots. One case in Denmark was followed by death.

On March 18, 2021, the EMA concluded that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is safe and does not increase the overall risk of blood clots. They pointed out that the incidence rate of blood clots in people who have had the vaccine is lower than that in the general population.

The EMA did acknowledge extremely rare cases of thrombocytopenia, an issue that supports blood clot formation, following the vaccination. They are now incorporating this into their vaccine product information. Still, they highlight a lack of causal evidence and emphasize that the benefits of vaccination still outweigh the risks.

Multiple countries, including Denmark, Norway, Germany, and France, had paused the distribution of this vaccine as a precautionary response to the initial reports of blood clots. Many of these countries plan to resume the use of this vaccine, and there are concerns that this event has slowed down the timeline of vaccine distribution throughout Europe.

The Serum Institute of India's Covishield is the locally manufactured version of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. India has not reported any incidents of blood clotting related to Covishield and currently has no plans to discontinue its distribution.

Drug regulatory agencies in India are still closely examining the data, however, to ensure that there are no causal links.

CanSino and Gamaleya

Both the CanSino and Gamaleya vaccines use the adenovirus type-5 (Ad5) as their delivery vehicle. The peer-reviewed research into trials of these vaccines found that they caused common side effects, none of which were serious.

However, a team that included Dr. Juliana McElrath, director of the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, raised concerns about the use of Ad5 in COVID-19 vaccines.

A 2008 study found that the Ad5 HIV-1 vaccine was linked to increased susceptibility to HIV infection. Multiple follow-up studies found similar results to support this link.

The researchers recommend a cautious approach to Ad5-based COVID-19 vaccines, especially in areas most affected by the HIV and AIDS epidemic.

Bharat Biotech

Published data from Bharat Biotech's Covaxin phase 1 and 2 trials show no serious side effects. Otherwise, there is little information about the risk of adverse effects.

Sinopharm: Beijing and Wuhan

Sinopharm have manufactured two vaccines, developed with the Institute of Biological Products in Beijing and Wuhan, respectively.

The published phase 1 and 2 trial data for the BBIBP-CorV and inactivated Vero cell vaccines show that most of the adverse events were common side effects and that none were serious.

Sinovac

Phase 1 and 2 trial data for the CoronaVac vaccine indicate no reports of serious adverse events.

Interestingly, the study authors found fewer reports of fever among participants who received this vaccine, compared with those who had received the Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, or CanSino vaccines.

Anhui Zhifei Longcom

There is currently no publicly available peer-reviewed data about the safety or efficacy of the dimeric receptor-binding domain, or RBD-dimer, vaccine. One preprint paper states that no serious adverse events were reported during a trial.

FBRI

EpiVacCorona is Russia's second approved COVID-19 vaccine, and trials to determine its safety and efficacy are ongoing.

Tatyana Golikova, the country's deputy prime minister, notes: "Unlike the first Russian vaccine, Sputnik V, which is a vector vaccine, that is, produced based on adenovirus, the new vaccine […] consists of artificially synthesized short fragments of viral proteins, peptides, through which the immune system learns and subsequently recognizes and neutralizes the virus."

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