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A member asked:
How often do benign lung nodules change to cancerous, or do they all turn over a period of time?d
3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Generally don't turn: Key factor is change in size; benign nodules tend to stay roughly the same size over time, malignant nodules don't-they get bigger more rapidly. Benign nodules are common-aftermath of prior infection, inflammation, etc. Smoker? Ex- smoker? Lived/worked with a smoker? Occupational exposures? Family history? All are factors to be considered. Get follow up with your md, and/or pulmonary specialist.
Answered 11/29/2013
5.6k views
Not always: Cancers are known to arise from underlying inflammation and scar tissue; it is possible to develop cancerous growth in scar/benign lung nodules, however this is not common; "benign" lung nodules have to be followed by serial scans to monitor change in size and radio-graphic characteristics.
Answered 11/29/2013
4.8k views
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