lung nodule

[wmac]

I hope im in the right spot. I went to doctor yesterday been having upper back pain bad. The doctor was stumped wanted ekg and blood work up due to my heart arrthymias nsvt. She also wanted a chest xray. I said no im scared cause im a smoke, and now of course tomorrow is my quit day.. Any way had all three workups done went back to her office ekg good blood all normal and she said xray is fine nothing there. I was so relieved. But the radiologist was out she said he would look tomorrow (which is today) and if there is something I will call you. However I never miss anything that is what she said. She is not my regular doc. Our regular doc is also a good friend. So I got a call today and she said there was a 1mm micronodule right upper lobe. Radiologist suggest checking it again in 3 9 and 18 months. Nothing to worry about she said ok easy for her to say. So I called our doc friend he went to look at xray he could hardly see it. He said he wouldnt of even commented on it like other doc. He said dont worry its nothing. Ok my thing is it all has to start somewhere what do i do? The doc I saw said i could do xray in six wks if im that worried, my regular doc said no wait 3 months. Im really scared what does all this mean. I just read that most single nodules are 95% malignant. I am so freaking out what do I do? Is something I should worry about or not. If it is something shouldnt they get it now while its so small? Help

[wmac]

So you are telling me that they can tell even at a 1mm in size they can tell by characterstics if its benign or not at that size. So if they feel its nothing then why do I have to go back at 3, 9, and 18 months for this to be checked? Its just so hard to not think about this and worry.

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

There are specific radiological characteristic that describe benign and malignant nodules. Solitary benign appearing lesions should not be anything to worry about and would just require a reassessment on 3-6 months, when the decision top further investigate or leave it as such can be taken depending on the radiological changes.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!