3 mm nodule on the left lung - ct scan in dec 2020

Karmic108

3 mm nodule on the left lung - ct scan in dec 2020 - need to wait for one year to rescan and do biopsy if it grows

Jons_girl

have you already had your scan this month? I’m assuming yes you have. So they are making you wait a year to know if it’s grown? I don’t know much about lung nodules sorry for questions. We are here for support.

moth

1 yr seems a long time ... I get that most people have small benign nodules but previous cancer pts need more aggressive follow up IMO. I'd push for 6 moths.

And if you develop any symptoms - shortness of breath, lingering cough etc, go in and ask for re-scan.

Best wishes

muska

Hi Karmic, small lung nodules may be caused by different causes and many people have them, myself including.

Was this your first lung CT? What prompted it? If it’s not your first one, was the same nodule seen on the previous CT and how long ago was it?

Nodules come in different types and shapes and 2-3mm is often too small to say what it is. Does the report give a description of the node? What was the radiologist’s impression?

I am sure they would put you on a different follow-up protocol if there were a serious reason for concern. Coming from someone with multiple small nodules in both lungs from the get go. I went through four years of regular CTs to monitor some of my nodules.

Best of luck to you!

Karmic108

Jons_Girl: In Jan, I have a routine onco appt. I can ask at that time more details.

moth: I will try for six months

muska: I had enlarged lymph nodes in abdomen when they did my first CT last year in February. Then to monitor them, they did two more times last year and the size was same. 3 cts in a year was lot of radiation I guess. Again they want to check and did after one year in december. This 3 mm in lung is a new discovery. New, 3 mm pulmonary nodule in the left upper lobe which may represent focal inflammation/infection but metastatic disease cannot be completely ruled out, is the impression from the radiologist.

muska - Did your nodules grow? I heard if they are doubling up in size in 1 - 6 months we should watch out I guess.

ctmbsikia

Hi karmic-I just quote/replied to you over on the lung cancer forum (user name is Diane). Seems you posted more info here. Did they give you a score (like LungRads?) It would be at the bottom of you report. As a few members over there replied, the size is not really concerning and since they want to repeat in a year I wouldn't worry too much. I know how hard it is though. I'm due for the low dose annual lung scan now-last year I had a nodule show up that wasn't on the prior 2 years, however, my score was a 2. Let us know how your appt. goes.

AliceBastable

I get regular CT scans due to a different cancer. I've had lung nodules show up the last few years, and as long as they're small and stable, none of my doctors worry about them. My latest CT was abdomen only, and my oncologist (who is not the one who ordered that scan) said I should get a yearly chest scan just to keep an eye on the nodes. So yes, once a year sounds pretty standard.

hapa

I have lung nodules that after three inconclusive scans I am completely ignoring. I told my MO I didn't think we needed to scan them anymore and he agrees. My RO (different cancer center) scheduled a scan of them last year and I cancelled it.

muska

@ Karmic

My nodules remained unchanged over a four year period, the last radiology report did not recommend further monitoring in the absence of any symptoms. My MO says there’s one or two that may be a precursor of lung cancer, but even so that would likely be a slow growing type, so she sees no need to continue frequent scans just for that. If I recall correctly they would have to be over 10mm to consider a biopsy

Karmic108

ctmbsikia - There is no score given. Thanks for the support on both the forums. Please keep us posted on the upcoming scan and best wishes!

Alice/muska/hapa - Good to know they are small and stable.