lung nodule

[PATTY5290]

i am 46 years old and stopped smoling 2 yrs ago - i smoke a pack a day on and off for about 20 yrs- during a breast mri something was seen on my right lung- had a ct scan - they found 2 nodules- one is 5.3mm and the other is 4mm- no inform was on the report about shape or borders- it did say one was a vague pleurally based nodule-  i was told to have another ct scan in 6 mos- should i have a petscan sooner- i'm a little freaked out- what are the odds for malignancy

[PATTY5290]

Thanks so much -  All I needed was a little perspective- Your attention is very much appreciated- Best Regards, Patty

[HeinrikMD]

Hi,
The lesions found are pretty small. Monitoring them with a repeat scan is standard procedure.

The question that needs to be answered is whether or not the risk of a biopsy would be less than the gain.  The biopsy usually involves sticking a needle inside the chest. Bear in mind, this is half a centimeter, hitting this with a needle is no easy task.  

Imagine if you do the scan, and there are other areas involved. These would likely be smaller than 3 mm. If the biopsy for the 5 mm lesion is tough - this would be much harder to do.

Try to stay positive. I know it is nerve-wracking living with uncertainty. But other people have gone through the same thing - and the interval (though perceived as a  period of doing nothing)  balances the risk of radiation exposure and early cancer detection. Of course, should any symptoms emerge, the plan would of course change-  you would be re-evaluated and an earlier scan may be needed.