What is a lung nodule?

X-ray spot: It can be anything from an old inactive walled-off TB of fungus infection to a benign tumor to cancer to something as exotic as a dog heartworm that went far astray. Here in kansas, most are old histoplasmosis. But a spot is lung cancer until you & your physician have a reason to think otherwise. Good luck, and be brave.

See below: A spot on the lungs, smaller than 3 cm (otherwise it is called a mass), seen on cxr and/or ct chest, which should not be there. May be due to anything from scar tissue through infection or autoimmune disease, to cancer. Consult a pulmonologist if you have one.

Abnormaility: A lung "nodule" is a term for small abnormalities seen on xray and ct scans. Most are found to be non-cancer. If larger, 2.5 - 3cm or bigger, will call it a "mass". However, all lung nodules and masses should be evaluated and followed by referral to a comprehensive thoracic surgical cancer program. Integration into a comprehensive program saves lives and decreases unnecessary morbidity.

Abnormal tissue: Most lung nodules are not cancerous. They are usually the result of a previous infection. In some areas of the world, certain fungal infections make them very common. In older patients with smoking history, physicians will always be concerned that a nodule is lung cancer. Depending on a patient's risk factors, comorbid diseases and the size of the nodule, further tests may be necessary.

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.