1. < Lung Health

Small lung nodules: How often should they be monitored?

Posted by sandie956 @sandie956, Jun 22, 2019

Small nodules on each lung. Third CT scan showed no change. Doctor said if next CT in one year shows no change, need no scan again, is this true? I would rather have scans every year?

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hatshepsut | @hatshepsut | Mar 3, 2022
In reply to @merpreb "@hatshepsut- Good morning. Sue is right, GG (ground glass) is just a description for a cell..." + (show)
@merpreb

@hatshepsut- Good morning. Sue is right, GG (ground glass) is just a description for a cell change. With any cell change, there is also a concern. We are people, not numbers. And doctors really can't tell you either. I have lung cancer and have had it for over 24+ years. There are no reliable odds for that because when I was diagnosed it was 1997. The "odds" then were 18 months.

There's an old saying: Probability is not prediction. Correlation is not causation.

May I ask why you were having a CT of your stomach?

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I apparently have an ulcer. My GP ordered the abdominal scan to rule out other issues. The abdominal scan was normal except for the nodule(s).

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Mar 3, 2022
In reply to @hatshepsut "Thank you for your reply. My first nodule was found incidentally on an abdominal CT scan...." + (show)
@hatshepsut

Thank you for your reply. My first nodule was found incidentally on an abdominal CT scan. I had a follow-up dedicated chest CT scan that revealed the 0.7 cm nodule in the other lung. I am reading everything I can find online. I've also read most of the lung nodule posts here. I found the Brock and Mayo Clinic Pulmonary Nodule calculators and they would indicate that my chance of this being lung cancer is somewhere between 2 1/2% and 4 1/2%. I'm finding some comfort in that but am really anxious that I can't find a pulmonologist appointment until April. I would like to find more information about causes other than cancer. I did have pneumonia in 2017. I also have chronic rhinitis. Can mucus mimic (or cause) a nodule? By the way, my radiology report notes mild curvilinear atelectasis or scar in the lingula. Beyond a very basic definition, I can't find much information on that or information on whether the atelectasis can be associated with the nodules.

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@hatshepsut- I don't know enough about changes in lung tissues and what it all means to offer you an intelligent answer. I suggest that you ask your doctor and find out what the next step will be for you and what he thinks the GG indicates. Chances are (?) that he will want to wait and have you have a chest CT scan in a few months. Please don't pay attention to numbers right now since the nodules are very small and at this point, no one knows anything more than you.

Have you spoken to your doctor about what he wants to do?

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hatshepsut | @hatshepsut | Mar 3, 2022
In reply to @hatshepsut "Hello. I'm new here. I was just diagnosed with two small lung nodules. One is 0.7..." + (show)
@hatshepsut

Hello. I'm new here. I was just diagnosed with two small lung nodules. One is 0.7 cm and one is 0.4 cm. One is in left lower lobe and one is in right lower lobe. The 0.7 cm. nodule is described as ground glass; the 0.4 nodule is described as juxtapleural. I'm 75. I've never smoked.I have no symptoms. I've made an appointment with a pulmonologist but can't get in until April. I've tried to research this online and it appears that the odds of this being cancer are pretty small. according to the Fleischner criteria. Nevertheless, this is new territory for me and I'm pretty concerned. I would appreciate any information you can give me.

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Thank you. I'm grateful for your advice and information. Although I live in a large community, I can't get a pulmonologist appointment until mid-April. That wait is tough. I did input my info into the Mayo Clinic Lung Nodule calculator and the results calm me down somewhat. I was the sole caregiver for my husband who had colon cancer for four years. So, I know I overreact to any cancer-related findings. Forgive me for that. I do know that knowledge is power and that early action is important. Again, thank you. Having kind and knowledgeable people to "talk" to is so important.

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vic83 | @vic83 | Mar 3, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "Thanks for catching my late evening blanket statement and reminding me there are many ways to..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Thanks for catching my late evening blanket statement and reminding me there are many ways to use Google. I am really glad you were able to use your research skills to get the care you needed.
I have written often here on Connect about how to find and use reliable information - I was just tired last night and took an unfortunate shortcut.
Next time I will be sure to be clear about looking for medically sound, research-based information to help people find answers.
Every day I learn something new here.
Sue

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Sue, I admit I will even google how to boil water .... I recommend checking everything. Since I am retired and have time now, I have saved many hundreds of dollars by checking things out....there are a lot of mistakes in this world! Here is a example for everyone: When buying new tires for your car, be sure they don't give you old tires, and that the tires have close manufacturing dates (week and year manufactured are on the tire).... I discovered once that they had given me tires two years apart in age ...and rubber ages whether you drive on it or not! Inventory not organized well and tires can sit there for years.

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mn1012 | @mn1012 | Apr 21, 2022

Hi, I recently had a 6 month follow up scan for 2 nodules. One was 8mm and the other 9mm groundglass. My follow up scan reported that I have 2 new indeterminate nodules. One lower left 3mm, and the other 6mm lower right. The 9mm groundless has resolved. No mention of the 8mm. The lung rads was 4a and also said these were suspicious of malignancy. I'm very anxious about this. These new nodules seem small. I'm not sure why the report says , they are suspicious. I'm 59 and a former smoker. I do vape and not sure if vaping could cause nodules. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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4 replies
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Apr 21, 2022
In reply to @mn1012 "Hi, I recently had a 6 month follow up scan for 2 nodules. One was 8mm..." + (show)
@mn1012

Hi, I recently had a 6 month follow up scan for 2 nodules. One was 8mm and the other 9mm groundglass. My follow up scan reported that I have 2 new indeterminate nodules. One lower left 3mm, and the other 6mm lower right. The 9mm groundless has resolved. No mention of the 8mm. The lung rads was 4a and also said these were suspicious of malignancy. I'm very anxious about this. These new nodules seem small. I'm not sure why the report says , they are suspicious. I'm 59 and a former smoker. I do vape and not sure if vaping could cause nodules. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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Here is what one radiology study had to say about vaping injuries to the lungs. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200827101833.htm
There are numerous other reports of changes to lungs as a result of the chemicals use in vape pens, as well as evidence that some may be irreversible. Like any other thing that is relatively new (think Covid) long term effects of vaping are just now becoming evident to the medical community. Have you told your doctor about what & ahow much you vape?
Sue

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mn1012 | @mn1012 | Apr 21, 2022
In reply to @mn1012 "Hi, I recently had a 6 month follow up scan for 2 nodules. One was 8mm..." + (show)
@mn1012

Hi, I recently had a 6 month follow up scan for 2 nodules. One was 8mm and the other 9mm groundglass. My follow up scan reported that I have 2 new indeterminate nodules. One lower left 3mm, and the other 6mm lower right. The 9mm groundless has resolved. No mention of the 8mm. The lung rads was 4a and also said these were suspicious of malignancy. I'm very anxious about this. These new nodules seem small. I'm not sure why the report says , they are suspicious. I'm 59 and a former smoker. I do vape and not sure if vaping could cause nodules. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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My doctor was very happy that I quit smoking. She knows that I vape and would like me to stop that also. I have a follow- up scan in July, and I am going to stop vaping, just to see if it will make a difference on the next scan. I'm really hoping it does.
Thank you for response and for the article.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 23, 2022
In reply to @mn1012 "Hi, I recently had a 6 month follow up scan for 2 nodules. One was 8mm..." + (show)
@mn1012

Hi, I recently had a 6 month follow up scan for 2 nodules. One was 8mm and the other 9mm groundglass. My follow up scan reported that I have 2 new indeterminate nodules. One lower left 3mm, and the other 6mm lower right. The 9mm groundless has resolved. No mention of the 8mm. The lung rads was 4a and also said these were suspicious of malignancy. I'm very anxious about this. These new nodules seem small. I'm not sure why the report says , they are suspicious. I'm 59 and a former smoker. I do vape and not sure if vaping could cause nodules. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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@mn1012, getting a scan result that shows lung nodules, no matter how small, can make one anxious. Fellow members @eternity28 @hatshepsut @janeellen @marye2 @pattymac have been in your shoes.

I moved your post to this existing discussion so you can connect with them and others. See
- Small lung nodules: How often should they be monitored? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lungs/

If you would like to get support in quitting vaping, please start a discussions in this group:
- Addiction & Recovery https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/addiction-recovery/

When is your next followup to monitor the lung nodules?

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jillmd | @jillmd | Apr 24, 2022
In reply to @mn1012 "Hi, I recently had a 6 month follow up scan for 2 nodules. One was 8mm..." + (show)
@mn1012

Hi, I recently had a 6 month follow up scan for 2 nodules. One was 8mm and the other 9mm groundglass. My follow up scan reported that I have 2 new indeterminate nodules. One lower left 3mm, and the other 6mm lower right. The 9mm groundless has resolved. No mention of the 8mm. The lung rads was 4a and also said these were suspicious of malignancy. I'm very anxious about this. These new nodules seem small. I'm not sure why the report says , they are suspicious. I'm 59 and a former smoker. I do vape and not sure if vaping could cause nodules. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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My nodules come and go. I have had PLCH for more than 30 years. It's when they grow that my Dr gets worried. I get PFTs, and 6 minute walks and doctor checkups every 3 months and CAT scans every 6 months. STOP vapping. It is as dangerous to the lungs as smoking.

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cookie2009 | @cookie2009 | Apr 24, 2022

Maybe you can request or ask them if they can continue scans? Could ask to see if they can.

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