Locations Main Campus: Chesterfield, MO 63017   |   Locations
314-434-1500 314-434-1500   |   Contact Us

Multimedia Encyclopedia

BACK
TO
TOP
 
E-mail Form
Email Results

 
 
Print-Friendly
Bookmarks
bookmarks-menu

Solitary pulmonary nodule

 

A solitary pulmonary nodule is a round or oval spot (lesion) in the lung that is seen with a chest x-ray or CT scan .

Causes

More than half of all solitary pulmonary nodules are noncancerous (benign). Benign nodules have many causes, including scars and past infections.

Infectious granulomas (which are formed by cells as a reaction to a past infection) cause most benign lesions. Common infections that often result in granulomas or other healed scars include:

  • Tuberculosis (TB) or exposure to TB
  • Fungus, such as aspergillosis , coccidioidomycosis , cryptococcosis , or histoplasmosis

Primary lung cancer is the most common cause of cancerous (malignant) pulmonary nodules. This is cancer that starts in the lung.

Symptoms

 

A solitary pulmonary nodule itself rarely causes symptoms.

 

Exams and Tests

 

A solitary pulmonary nodule is most often found on a chest x-ray or chest CT scan . These imaging tests are often done for other symptoms or reasons.

Your doctor must decide whether the nodule in your lung is most likely benign (not cancer) or of concern. A nodule more likely benign if:

  • The nodule is small, has a smooth border, and has a solid and even appearance on an x-ray or CT scan
  • You are young and do not smoke

Your doctor may then choose to monitor the nodule over time by repeating a series of x-rays or CT scans.

  • Repeat chest x-rays or chest CT scans are the most common way to monitor the nodule. Sometimes, lung PET scans may be done.
  • If repeated x-rays show that the nodule size has not changed in 2 years, it is most likely benign and a biopsy is not needed.

Your doctor may choose to biopsy the nodule to rule out cancer if:

  • You are a smoker
  • You have other symptoms of lung cancer
  • The nodule has grown in size or has changed when compared to earlier images

A lung needle biopsy may be done by placing a needle directly through the wall of your chest, or during procedures called bronchoscopy or mediastinoscopy .

Tests to rule out TB and other infections may also be done.

 

Treatment

 

Ask your doctor about the risks of having a biopsy versus monitoring the size of the nodule with regular x-rays or CT scans. Treatment may be based on the results of the biopsy or other tests.

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

The outlook is usually good if the nodule is benign. If the nodule does not grow larger over a 2-year period, often nothing more needs to be done.

 

 

Open References

References

Gotway MB, Panse PM, Gruden JF, Elicker BM. Thoracic radiology. In: Broaddus VC, Mason RJ, Ernst JD, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 18.

Gould MK, Donington J, Lynch WR, et al. Evaluation of individuals with pulmonary nodules: when is it lung cancer? Diagnosis and management of lung cancer, 3rd ed: American College of Chest Physicians evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chest . 2013;143(5 Suppl):e93S-120S. PMID: 23649456 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23649456 .

Ost DE, Gould MK. Decision making in patients with pulmonary nodules. Am J Respir Crit Care Med . 2012;185(4):363-372. PMID: 21980032 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21980032 .

Padley SPG, Lazoura O. Pulmonary neoplasms. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH Schaefer-Prokop CM, eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2015:chap 15.

 
  • Adenocarcinoma - chest X-ray

    Adenocarcinoma - chest X-ray - illustration

    This chest x-ray shows adenocarcinoma of the lung. There is a rounded light spot in the right upper lung (left side of the picture) at the level of the second rib. The light spot has irregular and poorly defined borders and is not uniform in density. Diseases that may cause this type of x-ray result would be tuberculous or fungal granuloma, and malignant or benign tumors.

    Adenocarcinoma - chest X-ray

    illustration

  • Pulmonary nodule - front view chest X-ray

    Pulmonary nodule - front view chest X-ray - illustration

    This x-ray shows a single lesion (pulmonary nodule) in the upper right lung (seen as a light area on the left side of the picture). The nodule has distinct borders (well-defined) and is uniform in density. Tuberculosis (TB) and other diseases can cause this type of lesion.

    Pulmonary nodule - front view chest X-ray

    illustration

  • Pulmonary nodule, solitary - CT scan

    Pulmonary nodule, solitary - CT scan - illustration

    This CT scan shows a single lesion (pulmonary nodule) in the right lung. This nodule is seen as the light circle in the upper portion of the dark area on the left side of the picture. A normal lung would look completely black in a CT scan.

    Pulmonary nodule, solitary - CT scan

    illustration

  • Respiratory system

    Respiratory system - illustration

    Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.

    Respiratory system

    illustration

    • Adenocarcinoma - chest X-ray

      Adenocarcinoma - chest X-ray - illustration

      This chest x-ray shows adenocarcinoma of the lung. There is a rounded light spot in the right upper lung (left side of the picture) at the level of the second rib. The light spot has irregular and poorly defined borders and is not uniform in density. Diseases that may cause this type of x-ray result would be tuberculous or fungal granuloma, and malignant or benign tumors.

      Adenocarcinoma - chest X-ray

      illustration

    • Pulmonary nodule - front view chest X-ray

      Pulmonary nodule - front view chest X-ray - illustration

      This x-ray shows a single lesion (pulmonary nodule) in the upper right lung (seen as a light area on the left side of the picture). The nodule has distinct borders (well-defined) and is uniform in density. Tuberculosis (TB) and other diseases can cause this type of lesion.

      Pulmonary nodule - front view chest X-ray

      illustration

    • Pulmonary nodule, solitary - CT scan

      Pulmonary nodule, solitary - CT scan - illustration

      This CT scan shows a single lesion (pulmonary nodule) in the right lung. This nodule is seen as the light circle in the upper portion of the dark area on the left side of the picture. A normal lung would look completely black in a CT scan.

      Pulmonary nodule, solitary - CT scan

      illustration

    • Respiratory system

      Respiratory system - illustration

      Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.

      Respiratory system

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

      Talking to your MD

       

        Self Care

         

          Tests for Solitary pulmonary nodule

           
           

          Review Date: 8/1/2015

          Reviewed By: Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

          The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

           
           
           

           

           

          A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.



          Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.