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9 months ago, I went to the ER for an unrelated

Sent to Health Experts January 18 07:29 PM

9 months ago, I went to the ER for an unrelated problem and he Dr. conducted a CT scan and told me I had a single pulmonary nodule in my upper left lobe that was 5mm. Last week, I had a repeat CT scan and this report said the nodule was 7X6mm. This facility did not compare the CT scan from the hospital. I am a female, 48 years old, with no history of cancer in my immediate family and have never smoked or as far as I know, been exposed to any chemicals in the work place.

What is the possibility this could be cancerous and if its not cancerous, can a lung nodule simply increase in size?

Also, what can cause lung nodules besides cancer?

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on January 18 2008 at 7:38 PM

 

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Female, Age: 48, Colorado

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January 18 8:27 PM (57 minutes and 50 seconds later)
         
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Hello Lndak97,

Lung nodules are usually benign but some can be precancerous. Usual causes of lung nodules include tuberculosis, histoplasmosis, vascular change, or just a simple lung cyst. The fungal chest infection known as Valley Fever can also cause a lung nodule.

Non-cancerous nodules usually do change significantly in size, color, and shape. Your current CT needs to be compared with your old CT to determine the change of the size. If change in size is notable, then you need to do further investigations such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) SCAN or a biopsy to check if such nodule is cancerous or not.

Sometimes, cancer can come even without known family history or without exposure to any of the predisposing factors. Finding it at early stage is more advantageous. Whether it is cancerous or not, it is for your benefit to get tested.

Good luck!

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Lani, BSN,RN -- Nurse -- 99% Positive Feedback on 974 Health Accepts
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January 18 9:35 PM (1 hour and 8 minutes and 24 seconds later)
         
Did you mean this answer to be "lung nodules usually DO or DO NOT change significantly in size, color and shape. Please clarify. This is what you wrote. Thank you.

Non-cancerous nodules usually do change significantly in size, color, and shape. Your current CT needs to be compared with your old CT to determine the change of the size. If change in size is notable, then you need to do further investigations such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) SCAN or a biopsy to check if such nodule is cancerous or not.
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January 18 10:13 PM (37 minutes and 40 seconds later)
         
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