When Diagnostic Imaging Reveals a Lung Nodule

At North Jersey Pulmonary Associates, we provide the skilled care required to diagnose, manage, and care for issues and conditions affecting pulmonary health and function. 

What is a lung nodule?

Defined as an area less than 3 cm in size that appears different and denser than the surrounding tissue, a lung nodule can look like a shadow or “spot on the lung” (as it’s more commonly called). Typically detected on a chest x-ray or CT scan, a lung nodule is not as rare as one may think. As a matter of fact, up to 50% of adults getting chest x-rays have them. 

Most lung nodules are benign.

Although it sounds like a frightening finding, a lung nodule doesn't always represent a cancerous lesion. The Journal of the American Medical Association states that close to 95% of lung nodules are benign.

Some reasons for a non-cancerous and non-malignant solitary lung nodule include:

• A residual scar from tuberculosis or a previous fungal, bacterial, or parasitic infection
• An active infection
• Cysts
• Pulmonary blood vessel abnormalities
• Arthritis
• Sarcoidosis
• Impacted mucus or contained fluid pocket
• Multiple pulmonary nodules due to prolonged environmental exposure to coal or mineral dust or a bacteria-containing blood clot
• A benign lung tumor

The causes and risks for cancerous pulmonary nodules

The chances that a single pulmonary nodule or multiple ones reflect the presence of cancer are greater for ones with a more solid appearance, are larger in size, have irregular borders, or located in the lung’s upper lobe. Risk factors for a cancerous nodule may include smoking, previous cancers, emphysema, age, and family lung cancer history, asbestos, or radon exposure. 

Providing the skilled and experienced care required

Most individuals with a lung nodule remain completely unaware they have one. It's often only when the growth encroaches on the airway, or one experiences cancer-related symptoms that leads one to think something's amiss.

In all cases of lung nodules, the professional team at North Jersey Pulmonary Associates develops a thorough and individualized diagnostic plan. We carefully consider a person’s medical history, the size and location of the lesion, and all contributing risk factors for further diagnostic testing, monitoring when indicated, management, and treatment.