8 mm lung nodule possible malignancy: What should I do?

Hello everyone,
I've had several lung nodules during the past 3 years with CT scans sometimes at 3, 6. or 12 month intervals.
One 3 mm nodule is now 4 mm.
A 5 mm nodule has resolved.
And since Aug. 2024 (1 yr.) I have a new 8 mm solid nodule in my right lung a little over halfway above the middle.
I have a family history of kidney cancer only, as far as I know.
I'm 67 and I do have a pulmonologist who has been with me during the past 3 yrs.
The current plan is a repeat Chest CT scan in 3 months.
What concerns me is I have had 2 different radiologists write their report of my CT scans and say "No nodules detected". Each time my pulmonologist looked at the scans and had the radiologists write an addendum at the top of their report correcting themselves due to her seeing what was actually there. Thank God she can read the scans, although even I can see where the 8 mm nodule is plain as day. The radiologists aren't building confidence.
At any rate, is the 3 month scan an acceptable approach since I have no idea how long it took the nodule to grow to 8 mm since it was a whole year vetween scans? And, what can I expect the next 6 months or so to look like? I have to admit since I went from "no nodules" to this situation I'm a little thrown by it.
Thanks for any input.
Deb

@lhatfield96, My fungal nodule was described as an "irregular pulmonary nodule". Which is not very descriptive, but the radiologist knew that I had been diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer over three years prior to this finding. I did have enlarged lymph nodes in the center of my chest with the fungal nodule and the lung cancer.
Of course this is a scary time for you, that's expected, and the waiting for the next scan can be the most difficult time. At least when you know what it is, you can breathe a sigh of relief or take action on next steps.
It seems that the radiologist and your doctors are being cautious in having you come back for another scan. This is very common. They don't want to put you through a procedure unnecessarily when nodules can come and go, or even stay the same for many years. Try to remember that most nodules aren't cancerous.
I try to focus on what's right in front of me. I have scans every 3-4 months. Overtime, I've learned that it's not helpful for me to focus on what might happen. I have to focus on what I know today, and not on what might happen three months from now. Can you focus on today? Have you found ways to take your mind off of this? Going for a walk, watching a movie meeting a friend for coffee, etc.?

Hi Lisa. Was your nodule sub solid ground glass or something else? I have an 8 mm sub solid GGO they have said is low suspicion but still wanted to see me in 3-6 month which doesn’t sound good. I’m so afraid!

I've read that any nodules 8mm should be looked at in an aggressive manner. But, for comparison, yours is slow growing compared to my husband's 6mm grew to 8mm in 3 months. Plus he has 7 nodules 6mm or larger and all have grown just in 90 days. Hope this helps.

I did actually use Google and it brings up a chart showing a peanut, a pea, etc. Lists the sizes in mm and cm. It gives you a pretty good idea. A radiologist reads your CT. If you are seeing a Pulmonologist they are looking at the results as well. The Dr tht read mine was quite accurate. Of course, make sure you ask questions if you’re not sure. They measure it again when they get it out.

Do you have a mm scale to see the size you are talking about? How accurate is the person reading your CT scan?

I had my CT scan here locally on January 5th, 2023. It took them 2 weeks to send the results to my doctor. I had my PET scan at Mayo around the end of February and had my segmentectomy March 24th, 2023. Whirlwind of appointments in between!

Hello skm101-
After my Dr saw my CT scan he called me and said he wanted me to have a PET scan. He sent the order to our local hospital and when they called me to set up the appointment I called him and told him to send it to Mayo instead. I believe(not 100% sure) that you can go on the Mayoclinic.org website and request an appointment. They then contact you and go through what needs to be done as far as paperwork, etc. They’ll want your insurance information, your Primary doctor info, etc. It was pretty easy for me. I did have to get the release of information to my doctor so Mayo could get all of my records. I had my CT at SimonMed (local) so I had to get them a release as well. But it was still a fairly easy process. However, I work in an office so I had the email and fax capabilities, I know thats a different situation for others.
I hope this helps. Best of Luck! God Bless you and keep you near him! Cindy

Did your Dr have to refer you to Mayos? How long did it take for you to get your second opinion there?

Didn’t know my chemo drugs have steroids. I’ll have to ask.