Hi Dale- I was told by my pulmonologist and Thoracic surgeon that at 8mm that is the approach, to watch and monitor. We who have them, Yes, get very anxious over that idea, because our natural reaction is “Get it out before it grows or spreads!” What I was told is that they consider it very small, and like Denzie stated, a biopsy can miss it, or get false readings. Mine took 9 years to grow from 8mm to 2 cm. However, they saw mine as “spiculated”, even at 8 mm. Also it was said to be sub solid and suspicious for adenocarcinoma. But that report never went out of the hospital to my doctor, so I never knew for the 9 years that I had it. Does your report mention if it is spiculated or suspicious? It is normal to be anxious about it. Cancer is a scary word, especially when we know loved ones who have died from it. My first husband passed from lung cancer and I was his caretaker. That was 28 years ago. Medicine has come so far since then! I was also a smoker for about 37 years. I had my segmentectomy (where they take segments of a lobe, not an entire lobe) 2 years ago, March 24, 2023. Stage 1b adenocarcinoma. Just had my last 6 month scan and am still clear. I have many calcified nodules, and some solid micro nodules that have not changed in 14 years. I guess I had Valley Fever and never knew it. Anyway, try to relax, do things that you enjoy and have trust in you care team. Of course, stay away from Dr Google if you research this stuff. (Which most of us do) Go to reputable websites like Mayo.org, Cleveland clinic.org, etc. DON’T use .coms, they are not peer reviewed and a lot of them are opinions and just plain scare the s#*t out of you.
If you feel like you need a second opinion, get one. It’s your right. I pray you can relax a bit, and I pray you get the care you need and deserve. God Bless and keep on this site. It is truly helpful and very caring, knowledgable people here. Cindy