4.7 mm non calcified lung nodule

[PaulaAnn]

During a cat scan, my pulmonologist found a 4.7 mm lung nodule in right lung.  This in July 2013.  He suggested another ct scan in Jan 2014.  The office just called and said that the dr says the nodule has NOT changed in 6 months and to call back in 1 month for an appt in 3-4 months..  This nodule is non calcified...which worries me.  This is new to me.

I have had rheum arth for 30 plus yrs...have sjogrens, raynaud, scleroderma...all the overlapping diseases that come with r/a.  I know r/a nodules are considered calcified, correct?.
  

what else shows up as non calcified?  What else could it be?  and if this was serious, would this have grown?  

Thank you for any help.  

Paula

[David Tinkelman, M.D.]

A 4.7 mm non-calcified nodule is a very small nodule.  The size and the fact that it has not increased in size in 6 months is suggestive of a benign (non-cancerous) process, quite possibly related to the rheumatoid arthritis as R.A nodules can be calcified or non-calcified.  When a nodule is calcified that is usually interpreted as having a high probability of being benign.

There are well established criteria for addressing the problem of a solitary nodule.  Your pulmonologist would, of course be familiar with these.  There having been no change in size in 6 months is very comforting.  It is reasonable to wait to repeat the CT for another 3-6 months and in the meantime be cautiously optimistic.

Good luck

[PaulaAnn]

Thank you so much for answering my question.  With all going on with me because of my long standing r/a......this is another thing a bit more comforting.  I didnt know rheum nodules could be either calc or non calc.  I have nodules on my fingers and feet.  

I was hoping it was decrease in size but happy to hear its stable.

Thank you again and Have a great 2014.  

[PaulaAnn]

I am also a gyn ca survivor stage 1 from 1998 .... chemo rad and surgery.  I am  a non smoker....Paula