Lung Nodules
I am 55 years old and diagnosed with moderate COPD 5 years ago. I have given up smoking but I do vape. I was told 12 months ago that I had a 4mm nodule on my lung and it is now 7mm. I now have to have to have 6 monthly CT scans to keep an eye on it but was not given any further information? ie: what could it be? Why are they monitoring it etc? Has anyone else had this x
Hi
, thank you for reaching out. I hear how anxious you feel about the lung nodule and not being given more complete information on what it means and what your doctor is monitoring. Remember you are always within your right to ask your doctor to explain/clarify anything going on with your health! It is your body and you have the right to know and understand your doctor's thought process. Sometimes doctors need to be reminded that while they have seen and monitored nodules hundreds of times in their career, this is the first time it is happening to you. We have a couple of articles about lung nodules that might be of interest to you:
https://copd.net/living/lung-nodules
https://copd.net/living/having-lung-nodulesThe best source of information about your unique body and the nodules being monitored is your doctor. I encourage you to reach out and ask for more information from your doctor. They will be able to give you the most complete and specific answers for you! Please keep us posted on what you learn and how you are managing. Know we are here to listen when you need support. Wishing you a gentle day. ~Allyson (COPD.net team)
Suzysu68,
Hello Suzy. I have had lung nodules and get a CT scan every six months to monitor them. At the moment, my lungs are clear. I had my first detectable one while in the hospital for mycobacterial pneumonia. My pulmonologist biopsied it and it came back negative. Six months later it had dissipated. But another larger one showed up in the same lung (the right lung). It was 19mm. Three months later it had shrunk to 9 mm. Six months later, it had dissipated. I just had another CT scan and lungs are clear. The reason the doctor did not say much else about the nodule is because there really isn't much else to tell. Nodules are only a concern when they continue to grow and don't shrink. Then there is concern. Hence the reason for a scan every six months. Usually, nodules are caused by infection in the lungs. They are very common and usually are not a cause for concern. If they continue to grow, then that might be a concern for possible lung cancer. So, getting a CT scan twice a year is normal to keep an eye on any nodule growths in your lungs. Unless it keeps growing, there isn't a reason to over concern yourself. Take care and God Bless!Hi
, and welcome! I see you are a new member here, having just joined today, earlier this morning. We are glad to see you already engaging with the community through this, your first post.
I see my good colleague,, has already provided you with some excellent references (pertinent to nodules). I also see that our fellow community member, , has shared his own personal experience dealing with nodules in his life.
I support each comment from both of them.
I do hope you have an opportunity to review each of their remarks.
If there is anything we can do to assist you further, please feel free to continue this and/or any other concerns you may have.
You are always welcome here in our online community.
All the best,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
