Small lung nodules: How often should they be monitored?

Hello akfishinmim1 I was diagnosed with lung nodules several years ago and not much was said from the pulmonologist but the radiologist told me that nodules can be from many different sources, i.e. old scars from pneumonia and other infections as well as having been a long ago former smoker.(40 years ago). Had pneumonia at least twice. The last CT was 2 years ago by the allergist/asthma doc and he will be doing one in August. Also have thyroid nodules! Radiologist said that some folks are just "noduley."Hope this helps to give you some type of peace, but just keep on top of things. Best wishes--Baz10

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.

Your reaction was my reaction also. What tests have you done so far? I found it very useful to read the test reports and google every single medical term. The radiologists in each test report recommended the next test (chest x-ray to CT-scan to PET-scan). I found CT-scan reports to provide a lot of information on possible diagnoses -

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.

Also, I'm concerned about the term "ground-glass." Using the Brock and Mayo Clinic calculators, my odds (less than 5%) of this being cancer look good. Nevertheless, on reading pieces online, the ground-glass designation looks especially worrisome. Is it?

I cannot address lung cancer, but I can tell you that ground glass is a term used to describe the appearance of abnormal findings in lung images. This can be from many causes, only one of which is cancer. The term has come to be ominous these past two years, as in early days of Covid it was used to describe the lung abnormalities from Covid pneumonia. Those of us with other chronic lung infections sometimes see the description in our xray results when the infection is active, and it recedes after treatment.
I know lung nodules and other findings are scary, but you need not be overly anxious about the ground glass description.

I always like to encourage people who are awaiting a visit for a new medical issue to avoid using Google to guess their diagnosis. It is just too scary.

Do you have a trusted family member, friend or clergy person who you can talk to about your worries?
Sue

@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?

I am afraid I must disagree on your point "telling people to avoid using Google to guess their diagnosis. It is just too scary". The googled information I found before my local pulmonologist visit definitely saved me from more painful surgical procedures and gave me a much better prognosis. Because I knew what was in the scan reports, I realized the local Pulmonologist was wasting time with unlikely diagnoses and tests and lacked expertise in lung cancer. I should have been referred to someone else because my scan reports talked cancer! Fortunately, my expensive Medigap insurance allows me to self-refer and I went to Mayo. When I worked in Corporate America we always said "knowledge is power". AND people should research their doctors to be sure they are board certified and qualified!!!! My local Pulmonologist's major interest was Asma!!! Of course, it takes work to build up the knowledge, and learning what a serious source is. But it is only scary when one does not know, and one cannot decide.

Worrying is normal. I call it strategic thinking. Evaluating what you are dealing with and preparing a course of action is a productive way to deal with challenges. I had to wait 12 days to get a local Pulmonologist appointment which I needed to order CT and PET scans. I had solid, subsolid, part solid nodules, ground glass and other stuff on the scans, and a hot PET scan. The scan reports said it could be cancer-and it was. Check out the background of the Pulmonologist you will see. My local Pulmonologist lacked expertise, and I immediately went elsewhere as soon as I had the scan reports. I had already lined up my next moves. I knew what my insurance would let me do.

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