Multiple lung nodules: Might they be noncancerous? What next?

Posted by felix536 @felix536, Aug 17, 2021

I have 3 lung nodules measuring 4mm, 6mm and 14 mm in three different lobes. Have had ct scans showing no change in 6 months and have another scan scheduled in three months per my pulmonologist. Should I get a second opinion from an Oncologist or wait it out? What are the chances of this being noncancerous?

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Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

Hi John, thank for the additional information. I think you’ll find this information from Veterans Affairs to be really helpful in answering some of the questions you have:
- Small Lung Nodules: What You Need to Know https://www.prevention.va.gov/docs/NodulesWhatYouNeedtoKnow.pdf

The article states:
“A nodule is generally considered small if it is less than 9 mm.”
“ Should I worry that I have a small nodule?
Usually a small nodule (less than 9 mm) is not a cancer, but it still could be an early cancer. The best ways to tell if a small nodule is possibly cancer are by:
1. Seeing how it looks on the LDCT scan, and
2. Seeing whether it grows over time.”
“ Most small nodules are not early lung cancer. Fewer than 5 percent of small nodules, or 5 out of 100, turn out to be cancer.”

I can imagine that you’re concerned. But it is comforting to know that 9mm is still considered small and that 95% of small nodules are not cancer. It’s also good that this was discovered and that your doctor is monitoring the situation closely. I’d like to bring @merpreb and @sueinmn into this conversation as they have experience with lung nodules and can perhaps help with what questions you might want to ask your doctor.

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Have Sue & Merp commented?

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Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

Hi John, thank for the additional information. I think you’ll find this information from Veterans Affairs to be really helpful in answering some of the questions you have:
- Small Lung Nodules: What You Need to Know https://www.prevention.va.gov/docs/NodulesWhatYouNeedtoKnow.pdf

The article states:
“A nodule is generally considered small if it is less than 9 mm.”
“ Should I worry that I have a small nodule?
Usually a small nodule (less than 9 mm) is not a cancer, but it still could be an early cancer. The best ways to tell if a small nodule is possibly cancer are by:
1. Seeing how it looks on the LDCT scan, and
2. Seeing whether it grows over time.”
“ Most small nodules are not early lung cancer. Fewer than 5 percent of small nodules, or 5 out of 100, turn out to be cancer.”

I can imagine that you’re concerned. But it is comforting to know that 9mm is still considered small and that 95% of small nodules are not cancer. It’s also good that this was discovered and that your doctor is monitoring the situation closely. I’d like to bring @merpreb and @sueinmn into this conversation as they have experience with lung nodules and can perhaps help with what questions you might want to ask your doctor.

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Let me show everything; I'm 82, 10 yrs ago smoker, COPD now ,but doing well on sprays ..
Are my chances worse ?

REPLY
Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

Hi John, thank for the additional information. I think you’ll find this information from Veterans Affairs to be really helpful in answering some of the questions you have:
- Small Lung Nodules: What You Need to Know https://www.prevention.va.gov/docs/NodulesWhatYouNeedtoKnow.pdf

The article states:
“A nodule is generally considered small if it is less than 9 mm.”
“ Should I worry that I have a small nodule?
Usually a small nodule (less than 9 mm) is not a cancer, but it still could be an early cancer. The best ways to tell if a small nodule is possibly cancer are by:
1. Seeing how it looks on the LDCT scan, and
2. Seeing whether it grows over time.”
“ Most small nodules are not early lung cancer. Fewer than 5 percent of small nodules, or 5 out of 100, turn out to be cancer.”

I can imagine that you’re concerned. But it is comforting to know that 9mm is still considered small and that 95% of small nodules are not cancer. It’s also good that this was discovered and that your doctor is monitoring the situation closely. I’d like to bring @merpreb and @sueinmn into this conversation as they have experience with lung nodules and can perhaps help with what questions you might want to ask your doctor.

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Despite having a ground glass nodule, the Dr told me it is not a cancer diagnosis yet. The whole thing is unnerving, so try not to ruminate too much and do the good things for yourself. I have another CT in March.

REPLY
Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

Hi John, thank for the additional information. I think you’ll find this information from Veterans Affairs to be really helpful in answering some of the questions you have:
- Small Lung Nodules: What You Need to Know https://www.prevention.va.gov/docs/NodulesWhatYouNeedtoKnow.pdf

The article states:
“A nodule is generally considered small if it is less than 9 mm.”
“ Should I worry that I have a small nodule?
Usually a small nodule (less than 9 mm) is not a cancer, but it still could be an early cancer. The best ways to tell if a small nodule is possibly cancer are by:
1. Seeing how it looks on the LDCT scan, and
2. Seeing whether it grows over time.”
“ Most small nodules are not early lung cancer. Fewer than 5 percent of small nodules, or 5 out of 100, turn out to be cancer.”

I can imagine that you’re concerned. But it is comforting to know that 9mm is still considered small and that 95% of small nodules are not cancer. It’s also good that this was discovered and that your doctor is monitoring the situation closely. I’d like to bring @merpreb and @sueinmn into this conversation as they have experience with lung nodules and can perhaps help with what questions you might want to ask your doctor.

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Thank you very much. If it is as a result of infection ( Amoxicillin treatment) will it disappear 3 months later in CT..
I am a former smoker,10 yrs ago, will that affect my percentages.?

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Profile picture for stellerjohn @stellerjohn

What are % of cancer in 9mm nodule

Jump to this post

Hi John, thank for the additional information. I think you’ll find this information from Veterans Affairs to be really helpful in answering some of the questions you have:
- Small Lung Nodules: What You Need to Know https://www.prevention.va.gov/docs/NodulesWhatYouNeedtoKnow.pdf

The article states:
“A nodule is generally considered small if it is less than 9 mm.”
“ Should I worry that I have a small nodule?
Usually a small nodule (less than 9 mm) is not a cancer, but it still could be an early cancer. The best ways to tell if a small nodule is possibly cancer are by:
1. Seeing how it looks on the LDCT scan, and
2. Seeing whether it grows over time.”
“ Most small nodules are not early lung cancer. Fewer than 5 percent of small nodules, or 5 out of 100, turn out to be cancer.”

I can imagine that you’re concerned. But it is comforting to know that 9mm is still considered small and that 95% of small nodules are not cancer. It’s also good that this was discovered and that your doctor is monitoring the situation closely. I’d like to bring @merpreb and @sueinmn into this conversation as they have experience with lung nodules and can perhaps help with what questions you might want to ask your doctor.

REPLY
Profile picture for stellerjohn @stellerjohn

3 yrs in row CT scan , first time 9 mm solid ,18mm cloudy nodule.
Dr treatment is antibiotics for 1 week thinks infection..
3 more months CT to see if gone

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What are % of cancer in 9mm nodule

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Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

Hi John, welcome to the group. You said that a week ago you were diagnosed with an 8mm solid nodule in your right lung. How was the nodule found? Have you had a biopsy to determine whether it is cancerous or not?

I look forward to learning more about you and to the questions you have.

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3 yrs in row CT scan , first time 9 mm solid ,18mm cloudy nodule.
Dr treatment is antibiotics for 1 week thinks infection..
3 more months CT to see if gone

REPLY
Profile picture for marye2 @marye2

I have an appointment with new PCP, because of course mine retired, on the 7th. I have a trip planned for April, so will try to get it done well before then. I have MCTD, so can take awhile to heal.

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CT scan last month. Three years in a row, this new 18mm cloudy, 9mm solid showed .dr treating me with antibiotics for 1 week , thinks its mucus from infection. She says wait 3 months for CT again..biopsy too risky.

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Profile picture for stellerjohn @stellerjohn

I dont know where to ask a new question to Dorector. 1 week old diagnosis of an 8mm solid nodule in right lung.

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Hi John, welcome to the group. You said that a week ago you were diagnosed with an 8mm solid nodule in your right lung. How was the nodule found? Have you had a biopsy to determine whether it is cancerous or not?

I look forward to learning more about you and to the questions you have.

REPLY
Profile picture for Merry, Alumni Mentor @merpreb

@marye2- Good morning. It sounds as if you have everything at hand here. Lungs are pretty dicey when it comes to biopsies and nodules and all of the organs that they are close to. I've had to forgo biopsies for those reasons also. An auxiliary lymph node is a lymph node in the armpit that drains the lymph from the breast area and other surrounding areas.

When will the biopsy be done?

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I have an appointment with new PCP, because of course mine retired, on the 7th. I have a trip planned for April, so will try to get it done well before then. I have MCTD, so can take awhile to heal.

REPLY
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