What is a lung nodule?

Solid mass in lung: A lung nodule is a soft tissue mass that is located somewhere within the lung itself. It can be a benign or malignant nodule. Following it with ct scans to see if it changes in size is one way to manage them or going directly to biopsy.

X-ray term: A small (less than 3 cm) spot on the lungs that looks different from the rest of the lung tissue on x-ray or ct scan. Can be anything from scar tissue through infection to cancer. Depending on how big it is, is either followed by serial cts, pet scan that should light up in cancer, or biopsy.