Single Lung Nodule Found on One Lung

[LALASNAN]

Hello,

     After a two day stay in a hosptial in Tucson, Arizona, with pneumonia, the doctor told me to follow up with my Primary Care physician because the X-ray showed a single nodule on one of my lungs.

     I am a 55-year old female, otherwise in good health.
I am a non-smoker, non-drinker.  Two (2) years ago I had a biopsy on a small lump on my breast that proved negative.    

     I have lived in Arizona for 10 years --- Valley Fever area.

     What is and what causes a single nodule on a lung?

     What medications or other treatments work best for a
single nodule?


Thank-You
LALASNAN

[National Jewish]

There are many causes of a solitary nodule.  It could be cancer, but the majority of them are not cancer.  A solitary nodule can occur in geographical areas where the fungi Coccidiomycosis and Histoplasmosis are commonly found in the soil.  Coccidiomycosis causes Valley Fever.  In the United States this occurs frequently in the southwest.  As you have mentioned Arizona is a Valley Fever area.

There are well-established medical protocols for sorting out the problem when the incidental finding of a nodule occurs.  Every lung specialist is familiar with these protocols.  They do vary somewhat depending on the person’s age, smoking history, work history, the circumstance under which the nodule is discovered, the size and other radiological characteristics of the nodule, etc.  Most work-ups begin with the comparison of all previous chest x-rays with the most recent.  If the nodule was not present on any of the previous chest x-rays, then the next step is a CT scan of the lungs.  So the most important thing for you to do now is to ask for a comparison of your most recent x-ray with all previous chest x-rays.  Assuming that you had a chest x-ray 2 years ago, at the time of the breast biopsy, a comparison with that one would be especially important.

You should be seen by a lung specialist, not a chest surgeon.  Then the finding can be approached in a systematic fashion that is ideally not invasive.  Being a non-smoker, the odds are very much in your favor that this nodule is not cancer.

[Grand Rapids]

Because you live in Arizona, you should DEFINATELY be tested for Coccidioidomycosis (aka Valley Fever).  Your lung nodule could most likey be related to Valley fever.  I live in Grand Rapids MI, but I tested positive for VF even though I spent 3 weeks in Arizona last year. I also ended up with a lung nodule that the doctors at first thought was lung cancer.  I was fortunate enough to visit a pulmonolgist here who was in the U.S. NAvy in Southern California who knew all about VF. The test they normally do is a blood test to check for the cocci antibody.

I would also recommend you visit a website - www.valleyfeversurvivor.com

You will be shocked at the information about this terrible infection, but you will see a lot of information on this subject you can't get anywhere else.  I wish you all the best and hope you keep us posted.

God bless,
Tom

[LALASNAN]

Tom,

     Many thanks for the feedback and the website.  I will look at its' contents.  I am seeing doctors on Monday, 8 May 2006 to get more testing done!

Again, thanks!
LALASNAN

[poolnoni]

I notice that you give a lot of feedback to questions asked in this forum.  You appear to be well informed.  How do you know so much information-are you a doctor? You sound like a very caring individual.

[Grand Rapids]

Poolnoni,

Thank you for the positive feedback.  I noticed also that you have provided some very helpful information to many people here seeking answers and help.  No, I am not a doctor, but I have done a significant amount of research on some respiratory conditions, particularily, coccidioimycosis and other fungal infections that affect the lungs.  I've done this because I have personally suffered through the mental anguish that comes with a doctor's opinion that "you most probably have lung cancer."

It changes your life from that instant on, forevermore.  In my particular case, I have since found that it most probably is a lung infection that has caused 2 nodules in my lungs, but it is still not confirmed.  But what is confirmed is that I have a different outlook on life than I had before.  I used to be a highly driven businessman, working long hours, and flying here, there and everywhere.  Now my priority in life is my family, work comes in a distant second. And it seems like the right thing to do to help other people who are going through similar issues in their own lives.

Thank you for your kind words.  I think you have helped many people too, and it should give you a sense of peace and solace that you can assist others when they have a question or need someone to listen to them.

Regards,
Tom

[LALASNAN]

Thanks to everyone for your feedback!  It has been determined that I do not have cancer.  The xrays and other tests have come back negative.  LALASNAN