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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Multiple lung nodules
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Multiple lung nodules
by 0123, Jul 04, 2004 12:00AM
Had a chest xray showed a 1mm nodule in the lower right lobe. Had a ct scan done showed several nodules - one was 1.3 cm, one was 3-4 mm and then a fatty tumor and then the one in the lower right lobe that they said was very tiny. All of the other three looked calcified and stable. But the other was was so tiny that they need to watch it because I don't have any other xrays/ct scans to go by. Why couldn't the xray show all these other nodules that were bigger but it showed the small one? How big does this nodule have to be before they will know if it is stable. Also, the small nodule apparently didn't change in the 2 months between the xray and the ct scan. So I am scheduled for another ct scan in 6 months. Would this nodule have grown if it was going to do anything. If the other nodules are stable can these change? Sorry for so many questions - just concerned. Thanks.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Jul 13, 2004 12:00AM
, Jul 13, 2004 12:00AM
It is strange that the 1.3 cm nodule was not seen on the chest x-ray, especially since it is calcified. However such things do happen with plain x-rays, for example, when the nodule lies behind a rib.
Calcification is a reliable sign that a nodule is not cancer, especially when there are multiple nodules. By its tiny size alone the 1 mm nodule is highly unlikely to be cancer. In addition its association with similar, but calcified, nodules makes this 1 mm nodule very unlikely to be cancer.
Nothing can be concluded from a nodule that has not changed in 2 months. A nodule must not change for 2 years to be considered stable. A nodule that will eventually grow may be stable for 6 months. The important thing is that it has not grown after 6 months. Repeating the CT scan in 6 months, again in another 6 months, and then, if no change is seen repeating the CT scan in 2 years is quite appropriate.
Calcification is a reliable sign that a nodule is not cancer, especially when there are multiple nodules. By its tiny size alone the 1 mm nodule is highly unlikely to be cancer. In addition its association with similar, but calcified, nodules makes this 1 mm nodule very unlikely to be cancer.
Nothing can be concluded from a nodule that has not changed in 2 months. A nodule must not change for 2 years to be considered stable. A nodule that will eventually grow may be stable for 6 months. The important thing is that it has not grown after 6 months. Repeating the CT scan in 6 months, again in another 6 months, and then, if no change is seen repeating the CT scan in 2 years is quite appropriate.
Member Comments (1)
by ccarter233, Apr 10, 2008 08:42PM
A related discussion, Lung Nodule was started.
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