Pulmonary nodule (patient information): Difference between revisions
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{{Solitary pulmonary nodule (patient information)}} | {{Solitary pulmonary nodule (patient information)}} | ||
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[ | '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Pulmonary nodule|here]]''' | ||
{{CMG}}; '''Associate Editor-In-Chief:''' [[User: Mohammed Sbeih|Mohammed A. Sbeih, M.D.]][mailto:msbeih@ | {{CMG}}; '''Associate Editor-In-Chief:''' [[User: Mohammed Sbeih|Mohammed A. Sbeih, M.D.]] [mailto:msbeih@wikidoc.org] {{MV}} | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
A solitary pulmonary nodule is a round or oval spot (lesion) in the lungs that is seen with a chest x-ray or CT scan. | *A solitary pulmonary nodule is a round or oval spot (lesion) in the lungs that is seen with a chest x-ray or CT scan. | ||
==What are the symptoms of Solitary | ==What are the symptoms of Solitary Pulmonary Nodule?== | ||
There are usually no symptoms. | *There are usually no symptoms. | ||
==What causes Solitary | ==What causes Solitary Pulmonary Nodule?== | ||
More than half of all solitary pulmonary are noncancerous (benign). Benign nodules have many causes, including old scars and infections. | *More than half of all solitary pulmonary are noncancerous (benign). Benign nodules have many causes, including old scars and infections. | ||
*Infectious granulomas are the cause of most benign lesions. | |||
Infectious granulomas are the cause of most benign lesions. | *You have a greater risk for developing a solitary pulmonary nodule if you have: | ||
:*Tuberculosis or been exposed to TB | |||
You have a greater risk for developing a solitary pulmonary nodule if you have: | :*Infectious lung diseases caused by fungus, such as: | ||
::*Histoplasmosis | |||
*Tuberculosis or been exposed to TB | ::*Coccidioidomycosis | ||
*Infectious lung diseases caused by fungus, such as: | ::*Cryptococcosis | ||
:*Histoplasmosis | ::*Aspergillosis | ||
:*Coccidioidomycosis | *However, the above conditions makes it more likely that the solitary pulmonary nodule is noncancerous. | ||
:*Cryptococcosis | *Young age, history of not smoking, calcium in the lesion, and small lesion size are factors associated with a noncancerous diagnosis. | ||
:*Aspergillosis | *Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancerous (malignant) pulmonary nodules. | ||
However, the above conditions makes it more likely that the solitary pulmonary nodule is noncancerous. | |||
Young age, history of not smoking, calcium in the lesion, and small lesion size are factors associated with a noncancerous diagnosis. | |||
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancerous (malignant) pulmonary nodules. | |||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
A solitary pulmonary nodule is usually found by your health care professional when a chest x-ray is performed for some other reason. | *A solitary pulmonary nodule is usually found by your health care professional when a chest x-ray is performed for some other reason. | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
A solitary pulmonary nodule is usually found on a chest x-ray. If x-rays repeated over time show the nodule size has remain unchanged for 2 years, it is generally considered benign. | *A solitary pulmonary nodule is usually found on a chest x-ray. If x-rays repeated over time show the nodule size has remain unchanged for 2 years, it is generally considered benign. | ||
*A chest CT scan is often done to look at a solitary pulmonary nodule in more detail. | |||
A chest CT scan is often done to look at a solitary pulmonary nodule in more detail. | *Other tests used to examine a solitary pulmonary nodule may include: | ||
:*PET scan | |||
Other tests used to examine a solitary pulmonary nodule may include: | :*Percutaneous needle biopsy | ||
:*Single-photon emission CT (SPECT) scan | |||
*PET scan | :*Skin tests to rule out infectious causes | ||
*Percutaneous needle biopsy | :*Lung biopsy | ||
*Single-photon emission CT (SPECT) scan | |||
*Skin tests to rule out infectious causes | |||
*Lung biopsy | |||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
Ask your doctor about the risks of a biopsy versus monitoring the size of the nodule with regular x-rays. | *Ask your doctor about the risks of a biopsy versus monitoring the size of the nodule with regular x-rays. | ||
*Reasons for a biopsy or removing the nodule may include: | |||
Reasons for a biopsy or removing the nodule may include: | *Smoking | ||
*The nodule size has grown compared to earlier x-rays | |||
*Smoking | *A CT scan suggests the lesion is malignant (cancerous) | ||
*The nodule size has grown compared to earlier x-rays | |||
*A CT scan suggests the lesion is malignant (cancerous) | |||
==Where to find medical care for Solitary | ==Where to find medical care for Solitary Pulmonary Nodule?== | ||
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Solitary pulmonary nodule}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Solitary | [http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Solitary pulmonary nodule}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Solitary Pulmonary Nodule] | ||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
The outlook is generally good if the nodule is benign. If the nodule does not grow larger over a 2-year period, under most circumstances nothing more need be done. On occasion, the appearance of the nodule on CT scan may warrant continued follow-up. | *The outlook is generally good if the nodule is benign. | ||
*If the nodule does not grow larger over a 2-year period, under most circumstances nothing more need be done. On occasion, the appearance of the nodule on CT scan may warrant continued follow-up. | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000071.htm | http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000071.htm | ||
==References== | |||
{{reflist|2}} | |||
[[Category:Pulmonary patient information]] | [[Category:Pulmonary patient information]] | ||
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[[Category:Surgery]] | [[Category:Surgery]] | ||
[[Category:Oncology patient information]] | [[Category:Oncology patient information]] | ||
[[Category:Patient information]] | [[Category:Patient information]] | ||
[[Category:Overview complete]] | [[Category:Overview complete]] | ||
Latest revision as of 14:55, 17 March 2016
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Solitary pulmonary nodule |
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Solitary pulmonary nodule On the Web |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Solitary pulmonary nodule |
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Mohammed A. Sbeih, M.D. [2] Maria Fernanda Villarreal, M.D. [3]
Overview
- A solitary pulmonary nodule is a round or oval spot (lesion) in the lungs that is seen with a chest x-ray or CT scan.
What are the symptoms of Solitary Pulmonary Nodule?
- There are usually no symptoms.
What causes Solitary Pulmonary Nodule?
- More than half of all solitary pulmonary are noncancerous (benign). Benign nodules have many causes, including old scars and infections.
- Infectious granulomas are the cause of most benign lesions.
- You have a greater risk for developing a solitary pulmonary nodule if you have:
- Tuberculosis or been exposed to TB
- Infectious lung diseases caused by fungus, such as:
- Histoplasmosis
- Coccidioidomycosis
- Cryptococcosis
- Aspergillosis
- However, the above conditions makes it more likely that the solitary pulmonary nodule is noncancerous.
- Young age, history of not smoking, calcium in the lesion, and small lesion size are factors associated with a noncancerous diagnosis.
- Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancerous (malignant) pulmonary nodules.
When to seek urgent medical care?
- A solitary pulmonary nodule is usually found by your health care professional when a chest x-ray is performed for some other reason.
Diagnosis
- A solitary pulmonary nodule is usually found on a chest x-ray. If x-rays repeated over time show the nodule size has remain unchanged for 2 years, it is generally considered benign.
- A chest CT scan is often done to look at a solitary pulmonary nodule in more detail.
- Other tests used to examine a solitary pulmonary nodule may include:
- PET scan
- Percutaneous needle biopsy
- Single-photon emission CT (SPECT) scan
- Skin tests to rule out infectious causes
- Lung biopsy
Treatment options
- Ask your doctor about the risks of a biopsy versus monitoring the size of the nodule with regular x-rays.
- Reasons for a biopsy or removing the nodule may include:
- Smoking
- The nodule size has grown compared to earlier x-rays
- A CT scan suggests the lesion is malignant (cancerous)
Where to find medical care for Solitary Pulmonary Nodule?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Solitary Pulmonary Nodule
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
- The outlook is generally good if the nodule is benign.
- If the nodule does not grow larger over a 2-year period, under most circumstances nothing more need be done. On occasion, the appearance of the nodule on CT scan may warrant continued follow-up.
Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000071.htm