Single Pulmonary Nodule

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is a single pulmonary nodule? " пїЅ A pulmonary nodule, also called a lung nodule, is a "spot " пїЅ on the lungs that is seen on a chest X-ray or CT scan. A CT scan is an imaging test that creates pictures of the inside of the body. If there is only 1 spot, its called a "single " пїЅ (or "solitary " пїЅ) pulmonary nodule. пїЅ пїЅ

A single pulmonary nodule usually causes no symptoms. People find out they have it after they have a chest X-ray or CT scan done for another reason. пїЅ пїЅ

What causes a single pulmonary nodule? " пїЅ A single pulmonary nodule is caused by either: пїЅ пїЅ

A condition that is not cancer " пїЅ In most cases, a single pulmonary nodule is not cancer. It is a growth, small area of infection, or old scar in the lungs. Some medical terms for these things include "granuloma, " пїЅ which is an area of inflammation, and "hamartoma, " пїЅ which is a non-cancerous growth.
Cancer " пїЅ A single pulmonary nodule can be lung cancer, which is when normal cells in the lungs change into abnormal cells and grow out of control. It can also be cancer that started in another part of the body and then spread to the lungs.

How will my doctor know whether my pulmonary nodule is cancer or not? " пїЅ To help figure this out, your doctor will use the following information: пїЅ пїЅ

Your age
Whether you have other symptoms or other known cancers
Whether you smoke or used to smoke
Whether you have family members with lung cancer
Whether you have worked with or around a material called asbestos
The spot's size and shape on the X-ray or CT scan
Whether the spot has changed over time " пїЅ To know this, your doctor will look at any old chest X-rays and CT scans you have.

Based on this information, your doctor will know whether there is a high, medium, or low chance that your pulmonary nodule is cancer. пїЅ пїЅ

What if there is a high chance my pulmonary nodule is cancer? " пїЅ If there is a high chance that your pulmonary nodule is cancer, your doctor will most likely do surgery to remove it. пїЅ пїЅ

Before surgery, your doctor will order an imaging test called a PET scan. For this test, a doctor puts a substance in your vein through a thin tube called an "IV. " пїЅ Then a special camera takes pictures of your lungs, liver, brain, and bones. A PET scan can show whether the cancer has spread outside of your lungs. пїЅ пїЅ

Also before surgery, you will have breathing tests to make sure it is safe to have part of your lung removed. пїЅ пїЅ

After surgery, a doctor will look at the nodule under a microscope to see whether it was cancer. If it was cancer, your doctor will discuss possible further tests or treatment. If it wasn't cancer, you will probably not need any further treatment. пїЅ пїЅ

What if there is a medium chance my pulmonary nodule is cancer? " пїЅ If there is a medium chance that your pulmonary nodule is cancer, your doctor will get more information about the nodule. пїЅ пїЅ

If the nodule is 1/3 of an inch or bigger, your doctor will either order a PET scan or do a biopsy. A biopsy is a test in which your doctor will get a sample of tissue from the nodule. Depending on where the nodule is in the lung, your doctor can put a needle through your chest and into the nodule. Or he or she can put a thin tube with a camera and light on the end (called a "bronchoscope " пїЅ) in your mouth or nose and down into your lungs to get a sample. пїЅ пїЅ

After your doctor gets some tissue from the nodule, another doctor will look at the sample under a microscope to see whether cancer is present. If the PET scan or biopsy shows cancer, your doctor will likely recommend surgery to remove the nodule. пїЅ пїЅ

If the nodule is smaller than 1/3 of an inch, or if the PET scan shows that the nodule is unlikely to be cancer, your doctor will probably recommend monitoring your nodule. He or she will repeat a CT scan in 3 to 6 months. пїЅ пїЅ

Your doctor will also get other information by doing an exam and ordering some blood tests. Further tests are based on these results. For example, if you have a large lymph node (bean-shaped organ under your skin) on exam, you might need other tests. пїЅ пїЅ

What if there is a low chance my pulmonary nodule is cancer? " пїЅ If there is a low chance that your pulmonary nodule is cancer, your doctor will monitor it. He or she will order repeat CT scans. How often the scans are done depends on your individual situation. Most people have repeat CT scans done once or twice a year for about 2 to 3 years. пїЅ пїЅ

If your pulmonary nodule does not get bigger over time on repeat CT scans, it is most likely not cancer. Your doctor will then stop ordering repeat CT scans. пїЅ пїЅ

If your pulmonary nodule does get bigger over time, your doctor will probably recommend surgery to remove it. Before the surgery, you will probably have a PET scan and breathing tests. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 87304 Version 4.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. пїЅ пїЅ2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ

Single Pulmonary Nodule

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

Copyright