Overview
What is a Lung Nodule?
A lung nodule, also called a pulmonary nodule, is an abnormal spot or small growth in the lung. Lung nodules are often detected incidentally on a chest X-ray or a computed tomography (CT) scan. Lung nodules are identified in almost 1.6 million patients per year in the United States. [1] While 95% of all pulmonary nodules are benign[1], it is important to remain vigilant, proactive, and consult with your physician to ensure nodules are, in fact, non-cancerous.
Risk Factors For Cancerous Lung Nodules
Although lung nodules can develop in the lungs of any individual, a nodule is more likely to be cancerous if:
Patient Related Risk Factors
- Smoking
- Older Age
- History of Previous Cancers
- Family History of Lung and Other Cancers
- Exposure to Radon, Asbestos, Diesel Fume, Silica, Chromium
- COPD
- Interstitial Lung Disease
Nodule Related Risk Factors
- Size: > 8mm
- Location: Upper Lobe
- Morphology
- Margins
- Calcification
- Cavitation
- Growth Rate
How Do You Screen For Lung Cancer?
While initially detected by an X-Ray of the chest, lung nodules are also often identified via Computed Tomography (CT) scan.
Advancements in technology have allowed our team to implement the cutting-edge technologies of Low-Dose CT (LDCT) scans for lung cancer screening. Here, the term Low-Dose refers to the generation of high-resolution imaging using significantly less radiation exposure than traditional scans.