Benign Pulmonary Nodules

[mamaw26]

I just had a CT scan of my left flank (to determine if I had kidney stones) and was told that I have benign pulmonary nodules. This is all I was told on the phone by the nurse and to follow up with another CT scan in December. What more should I know? Should I call back and get specifics or just wait until December to see what's going on? I've never smoked but have lived with smokers all my life (I'm 49.)

[mamaw26]

Thank you for the positive feedback. I am not worried but was very surprised. I will remain positive as that is the best survival technique I know of, regardless of what life throws at me!

[HeinrikMD]

Hi,

While surprise findings in imaging tests tend to be scary, this is all part of the improvement in technology. There would be a lot of findings that would only be pathologic because of the worry that they cause. The size, shape, and distribution would be some things to look at to decide whether or not something is likely to be malignant. Your personal history (smoking status habit primarily) is also important. While there is a lot of information about the risks of second hand smoke, the risk is probably lower than is generally believed. If you can get the smokers around you to stop, it would probably be more for their own good than for yours.
Get the follow-up, the process can be a bit tedious, but take heart that this is common practice, and it balances the risks of performing biopsies not to mention the radiation doses from serial testing. Stay positive.

[crazedmommy1234]

hi,

I was also was diagnosed with a benign pulmonary nodule.  I had a routine screening for a pre admission to the hospital and they found a "mass" in my lung.  I had a CT and then a PET scan that were thankfully negative.  I am nurse and I have done quite a lot of research. I have bugged so many doctors I work with that I think they hide when they see me coming....lol    Metastatic disease has certain charactoristics than benign nodules they can mostly tell by the nodule size and shape. JUst relax and wait it out.  you MUST have the follow up test... Just to make sure!!!!
Good luck