A lung nodule is a type of abnormal growth that can occur in the lung. Lung nodules can occur in either lung, and patients may have more than one nodule. Lung nodules can be detected on CT scans or X-rays.
The average size of a lung nodule is typically under 10mm, which is less than half an inch. Larger nodules are associated with a higher risk of lung cancer, but with regular CT scans, lung cancer can often be caught in an early stage and treated. The majority of cases of lung nodules, roughly 95%, are non-cancerous.
Lung nodules may also be referred to as pulmonary nodules or spots on the lung.
Lung nodules can have a variety of different causes.
One of the most common causes of lung nodules is a previous illness or infection. Previous lung infections such as tuberculosis can cause scar tissue in the lungs. Fungal infections such as histoplasmosis or blastomycosis also present very similarly to lung nodules. Additionally, certain types of cancer such as kidney cancer has the potential to spread to the lungs, resulting in lung nodules.
Individuals who smoke or are regularly around other irritants in the air are more likely to develop lung nodules and are at a greater risk for developing lung cancer.
Symptoms of lung nodules typically vary by the size and location of the nodules. Smaller nodules may not cause symptoms at all. Larger nodules may cause a variety of symptoms, including:
Treatment for lung nodules is often personalized based on the size of the nodules as well as any other risk factors that may contribute to a patient developing lung cancer.
The vast majority of patients undergo active surveillance, where they receive regular CT scans for 1-2 years after diagnosis to determine if the nodule is growing. Typically if there is no growth after 2 years, there is much less risk for that nodule to be cancerous. For these patients, a lung biopsy is typically not recommended, due to increased risks from performing the procedure compared to watching and waiting.
For patients whose lung nodules have grown, a bronchoscopy may be performed. In this procedure, a tube is inserted through the throat into the lungs and is used to get a sample of the lung nodule. For nodules on the outer part of the lung, it is also possible to insert a thin needle through the chest to get a sample. After the sample is tested and if it is found to be cancerous, it can be removed through an incision in the chest.
The majority of patients with lung nodules will have either no or minimal health complications, although it is suggested to receive additional CT scans over time to see if the nodule is growing. Roughly 5% of lung nodules turn out to be cancer, which can have more significant complications if not treated early.
The majority of lung nodule cases are non-cancerous and do not cause symptoms. However, call your provider right away if you are experiencing symptoms such as:
Peter Mazzone is a Pulmonary Medicine specialist and an Intensive Care Medicine expert in Cleveland, Ohio. Mazzone has been practicing medicine for over 29 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Lung Nodules. He is also highly rated in 10 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Lung Nodules, Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Endoscopy, and Deep Brain Stimulation. Mazzone is currently accepting new patients.
Harvey Pass is a Thoracic Surgeon in New York, New York. Pass has been practicing medicine for over 50 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Lung Nodules. He is also highly rated in 12 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Malignant Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer, Lung Nodules, Advanced Bronchoscopy, and Tissue Biopsy. Pass is currently accepting new patients.
Philip Linden is a Thoracic Surgeon and a General Surgeon in Cleveland, Ohio. Linden has been practicing medicine for over 31 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Lung Nodules. He is also highly rated in 20 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Lung Nodules, Lung Adenocarcinoma, Lung Cancer, Endoscopy, and Advanced Bronchoscopy. Linden is currently accepting new patients.
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