How Can Small Nodules Visible In A CT Scan While Having Cough For Over 2 Years Be Treated?

Posted on Fri, 8 Jan 2021

Question: I have had a cough for over 2 years now; I haven`t smoked in over 40 years. Today I had a ct scan done on my chest. It showed I have 5 nodules in my left upper pulmonary. A earli.er chest x-ray was negative. My dr wants to wait 3 months before she looks further. She said they are small nodules.....why wait? If it is cancerous or not isn`t it better to look closer now

I don`t cough at night but usually during the day and a clear mucus comes with the cough. It occurs when I am more active but can when occur when I am just sitting and resting. I get 3-4 episodes where I will cough for about 10 minutes and bring up this clear mucus.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Jolanda (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
wait 3 months

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

I can understand your concern

According to the chest CT result usually if the image is not so conclusive we wait at least 3 months and repeat the CT.If the nodules have not changed than only the follow up is recommended up to 2 years. If they have changed than a biopsy is indicated to define better their origin.
This is the step by follow up in such cases.

Don't worry your doctor knows better what she is doing.

I hope to have been helpful

Regards

Dr.Jolanda

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T