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Can Nodules In The Lungs Be Cancerous?
Question: Hello, I had a very recent Cat Scan done for my kidney stones & was informed a microbial nodule was spotted in my right lung. The doctor said they would continue to "watch" it by doing another Xray in one year from now. The (resident) doctor commented that it was likely a calcium deposit… I never heard of such. My mother passed away from lung cancer & had smoked for 30 yrs & had quit. I smoked for 15 yrs & quit cold turkey back in 1990. I'm concerned with this find & why nothing more would be done to confirm what this growth is. Sadly, my mother's doctor diagnosed her cancer as her chronic bronchitis & it was not until a substitute doctor requested an Xray & found it was cancer which had already spread to her lymphnodes. Any additional information/suggestions are appreciated. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Hello dear. It requires evaluation by ct scan
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. I have gone through the details and i understand your concern. With a history of smoking(although you quit), any nodule in lung needs to be evaluated. IT might be an old calcific focus, which is a possibility. However, we usually evaluate any nodular lesion which is more than 8 mm in size by a 6 monthly ct scan and this should be the practice in your case too. If at any point of time there is an increase in size, a biopsy must be done.
Thanks and regards
Hello dear. It requires evaluation by ct scan
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. I have gone through the details and i understand your concern. With a history of smoking(although you quit), any nodule in lung needs to be evaluated. IT might be an old calcific focus, which is a possibility. However, we usually evaluate any nodular lesion which is more than 8 mm in size by a 6 monthly ct scan and this should be the practice in your case too. If at any point of time there is an increase in size, a biopsy must be done.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you for the info. provided. I don't recall being told by the resident doctor how large the nodule appeared to be. Perhaps, I was overwhelmed by the finding & didn't think to ask. If the nodule is smaller than 8mm - for me I feel that 6mths is still a long time to wait for another CT scan. If cancerous, it just may grow or spread - quickly.
1.) Could the reason to wait be due to any further radiation exposure?
I did work this past year in a medical facility where I used Cavicide to disinfect patient treatment/exam areas on a daily basis. I didn't wear any face or breathing mask, & sometimes the solution seemed stronger/more potent & the ventilation seemed decent.
2.) Could the Cavicide be a possible cause for the nodule?
3.) What is a calcific focus?
I know someone who worked in medical malpractic & observed the clients who were told to wait/keep an eye by their doctors were the ones who died because the cancer had spread so quickly.
Thank you.
1.) Could the reason to wait be due to any further radiation exposure?
I did work this past year in a medical facility where I used Cavicide to disinfect patient treatment/exam areas on a daily basis. I didn't wear any face or breathing mask, & sometimes the solution seemed stronger/more potent & the ventilation seemed decent.
2.) Could the Cavicide be a possible cause for the nodule?
3.) What is a calcific focus?
I know someone who worked in medical malpractic & observed the clients who were told to wait/keep an eye by their doctors were the ones who died because the cancer had spread so quickly.
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Hello dear. Donot worry. It wont grow quickly
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear.
Please do not worry. It won't grow so quickly, 6 month is the ideal time. Or you can get the first CT scan at 3 months and if stable then at 6 months.
Cavicide is certainly not the cause.
Infective nodules heal on their own and deposit calcium in them thus become calcific.
Relax and please get evaluated.
Thanks and regards
Hello dear. Donot worry. It wont grow quickly
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear.
Please do not worry. It won't grow so quickly, 6 month is the ideal time. Or you can get the first CT scan at 3 months and if stable then at 6 months.
Cavicide is certainly not the cause.
Infective nodules heal on their own and deposit calcium in them thus become calcific.
Relax and please get evaluated.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Thank you again.
I am curious how the doctors know it is a calcium formation without further or a more extensive examination? Esp., since they were not - initially - looking to find as such. The CT scan was for another issue.
I was more concerned seeing what happened to a parent who passed away within 6 mths of first being misdiagnosed for chronic bronchitis & returning still not better & then Xrayed to find it was lung cancer & already spread to lymph nodes... it was too late.
But I will request it sooner & hope they understand my concern & comply.
If cancer has been found in both parents - wouldn't that be a "red flag", as well?
Appreciate your time - thank you.
I am curious how the doctors know it is a calcium formation without further or a more extensive examination? Esp., since they were not - initially - looking to find as such. The CT scan was for another issue.
I was more concerned seeing what happened to a parent who passed away within 6 mths of first being misdiagnosed for chronic bronchitis & returning still not better & then Xrayed to find it was lung cancer & already spread to lymph nodes... it was too late.
But I will request it sooner & hope they understand my concern & comply.
If cancer has been found in both parents - wouldn't that be a "red flag", as well?
Appreciate your time - thank you.
Brief Answer:
Hello dear. Its a morphological diagnosis
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. Calcific nodule is a morphological diagnosis based on size and density of lesion. So nothing amusing about it. Only if the size is big, then a ct is required. Do not worry and go for it.
Thanks and regards
Hello dear. Its a morphological diagnosis
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. Calcific nodule is a morphological diagnosis based on size and density of lesion. So nothing amusing about it. Only if the size is big, then a ct is required. Do not worry and go for it.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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