Nodule On Lung

I recently had a abdomen and pelvic CT scan preformed along with a Hida Scan due to chest, back and stomach pains.  The hida scan came back positive and I had my gall bladder removed.  However, the abdomen CT scan showed 4 mm nodule at right lung base and was recommended to follow-up in 3 months.  However, I had the same CT scan done approx 1 yr 4 months ago and my lungs were clear then, no nodules.  I realize that some nodules are not cancerous, however do some people just develop nodules for no reason? What is the approx rate of growth of nodules and since the CT scan was was normal year ago, should I still go ahead and wait 3 months for follow-up.  I am sure my primary care physician did not compare the two CT scans.  What kind of specialist should be seen to review scans?

[National Jewish]

Nodules can occur in the lungs for a variety of reasons.  Most are infectious and not cancerous.  A 4 mm nodule is tiny.  Unless the previous CT scan was done with the same machine and in the same fashion, the nodule might not have been visualized even though it was present.  The rate of growth varies considerably, depending on the type of lesion.  A nodule that is less than 10 mm in diameter and unchanged over nearly 18 months would almost certainly not be cancerous.

The best advice I can give is that you be seen jointly by a pulmonologist and a radiologist who specializes in the chest.  You will get a much better picture of the likelihood of the nodule being non-cancerous or cancerous.  They will also give you advice on what to do.  At this point, waiting 3 months for follow-up would be a reasonable.

[Lills]

A related discussion, ***@**** was started.

[swampyank]

A related discussion, growth of calcium lung norule was started.