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

Posted by js @jstarkman, Jan 18, 2024

I had a CT scan and they found a nodule which has grown to 8 mm from 6 mm 12 months ago. The report says "slowly growing malignancy cannot be excluded". My doctor (GP) recommends another CT in 3 months but I am concerned that this approach is not aggressive enough. It has clearly changed from 6 mm to 8 mm.
What do I do?
Should I be seeing an oncologist now?
Should something more aggressive me done?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Cancer Support Group.

pb50 | @pb50 | Jan 18, 2024

In reply to @dave56pa "Finding you have lung nodules is frightening but are common and most likely are benign. At..." + (show)

That is certainly conventional wisdom. In my opinion that’s a statistical rationalization that insurers use to withhold funding for intervention until you reach the statistical threshold for it, That seems to be overall size and/or speed of growth. And I agree you will probably be fine to wait. But probably isn’t that reassuring to me. If I had it to do again I would say the very minute the risk could be sold to the insurer, I want to pull the trigger. And I would still talk early to the oncologist for their input.

dave56pa | @dave56pa | Jan 18, 2024

Finding you have lung nodules is frightening but are common and most likely are benign. At this point your GP has you on the right track with a follow up CT-Scan in 3 months. It’s premature to have an oncologist involved at this point but you may wish to set an appt thru your GP with a pulmonologist for after your next CT. I had 3 nodules found in 10/22, CT’s every 3 months and No problem until 9/23. So try to relax and know all will be well. Go about your life. Prayers for you
P.S. they cannot confirm or rule out malignancy without a biopsy which most likely not be done on your sized nodule Mine grew to 24mm before things got serious

pb50 | @pb50 | Jan 18, 2024

I watched a nodule increase over 4 years from 6mm to 14mm and only then had surgery to remove it - Losing a lobe of my lung in the process. So based only on my experience, I would suggest you ask for an oncologist consult now. It may be that the insurance company has guidelines re how big it has to be before they will pay for intervention. It’s too small to biopsy now in all likelihood. But I would be asking whether it can be eradicated now - perhaps via radiation ablation - and if not why not.
I have RA and watched mine grow for 4 years thinking it was nothing to worry about - an RA nodule everyone thought. It moved at a snail’s pace of 1mm a year until the last year when it jumped 5mm. I suggest you don’t do that. Now I’m looking over my shoulder to see if it spread without detection - yet.

Good luck!!