Node in Lung

I have asthma. During a CT scan used to DX something unrelated they found a node on my lung. Can asthma cause a lymph node to swell in your lung?

[National Jewish Health]

Asthma does not cause lymph node enlargement.  You should ask your doctor to provide a differential diagnosis for the node enlargement, as reported by the radiologist who interpreted the scan.  Some nodal enlargement is fairly specific for a disease called sarcoidosis.  You might want to ask if this node is consistent with that diagnosis.  If not, what diagnosis does it suggest?  They should also review any previously taken chest x-rays or CT scans to determine if the node may have been enlarged in the past, but simply not diagnosed as such.  Also, a positron emission tomography (PET) scan might be useful to determine the nature of the node tissue.

If it is deemed appropriate by a lung specialist, also known as a pulmonologist, to biopsy the node, you should ask about the various ways this could be done and the risks and likelihood of making a specific diagnosis for each; for example:  trans-thoracic needle aspiration/biopsy, trans-bronchial needle aspiration, mediastinoscopy or by video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS).  You should also have a careful physical exam to determine if there might be enlargement of another lymph node, more easily accessible.

Good luck.

[JerseyGirl0111]

A related discussion, lung problems was started.