Lung nodule found in Chest X-Ray

[hearrean]

My wife had a chest X-Ray last week and the results came back today that there is a 10 mm nodule present in her upper left lobe. It also showed some scarring as well. They have recommended she have a CT Scan to further evaluate. I haven't given her this news yet as I just found out today & because personally, I am scared for her. I am a lung cancer survivor myself staged at IIIB, currently NED & she has been by my side during all my treatments.
I have read however that a majority of solitary nodules are not malignant. I don't know if that's true or not but she, like me, is a former smoker. We both quit 7 years ago however.
Can anyone offer any feedback as to whether it is true that a majority of lung nodules are benign?

Ken

[jusme55]

A small nodular opacity was found on the upper right side of my lung area. The ER didn't seem too worried as he said most of these granular opacities and the way it looked from radiation dept report sounded like it wasn't malignant. He said a CT Scan or MRI was too early and to wait 2 months (my main dr, who is an internist and cardiologist said 4 months??) and let it grow because it was too small?!!!  A comparison from a past x-ray was suggested but that was Jan 1995 and it showed clear. What's the story..I mean the doctor saying that a CT or MRI would’ve been too harmful and too much radiation after the x-ray back in mid September-but the report also said at the end..other enmities cannot be excluded and so forth. Sound to me like these medical experts are playing around with my life. What if I have lung cancer that they could have detected early and it might be too late now? Anyone with any answers as I cannot afford a CT Scan or MRI until next month due to a change in my medical insurance. Ant suggestions?

[jkwrabbit]

I have had a solitary pulmonary nodule since March and had it removed by VATS wedge resection in June.  My nodule turned out to be histoplasmosis (a fungal infection).  I have a family history of lung cancer and so it was important for me to have it removed and know for sure.  Hope your wife's turns out to be benign too.

Johanna

[HeinrikMD]

Hi,

There are indeed a number of people who will receive a diagnosis of a solitary nodule. The chances of it being malignant varies, different studies shows a wide range of cancer incidence from 10 to 70% (other reports give a narrower range of 30 to 40%).

The above represents general figures. What is more important is the individual features to stratify in terms of risk. The size of the nodule and quitting smoking 7 years ago is a good thing, this would make her low risk. The CT is a good next step as this may have some demonstrate some features that would help decide the need to intervene.

Stay positive.