Abnormal Chest X-ray

[mossyoaks]

I recently had a chest x-ray and the report says I have a 5 mm nodule overlying the 2nd rib in the right lung .  I have been a smoker for almost 30 years.  Could this be the beginnings of lung cancer?  I will be getting a CT scan soon.  Are CT scans accurate as far as distinguishing between benign or malignant lung nodules?

Thank you

[demolitionman792003]

Hi my mom just quit smoking she had smoked for 50 years she is 66 years old and also over weight, since she quit smoking bout 6 weeks ago she feels worse then when she smoked she has a hard time breathing. Her doc says it could be from her weight but she has always been that heavy and breathe fine before, so he wants her to go for a chest exray she dont want to go she scared its lung cancer what is your opion do u think its cancer.

[David S. Wilson, MD, FCCP]

Sounds like your MD is taking all the right steps to rule out any lung disorder.  The only way to truly distinguish between benign or cancerous nodules is by biopsing or taking sample of the nodule for a pathologist to diagnose.  5mm nodule is quite small and would be a challenge to biopsy.  Your doctor may follow up with CT scan in 3-6 months watching for increase or decrease in size.