{"id":57553,"date":"2019-08-14T14:40:58","date_gmt":"2019-08-14T18:40:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nortonhealthcare.com\/?page_id=57553"},"modified":"2023-06-28T13:14:55","modified_gmt":"2023-06-28T17:14:55","slug":"lung-nodules","status":"publish","type":"service","link":"https:\/\/nortonhealthcare.com\/services-and-conditions\/pulmonary\/services\/lung-nodules\/","title":{"rendered":"Lung Nodules"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A lung nodule is a small, round growth in the lung sometimes called a \u201cspot on the lung.\u201d Most are benign, but may represent an early sign of disease and possibly early-stage lung cancer<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lung nodules can form when inflamed lung tissue from an infection or other illness forms a clump of cells that can harden. Lung nodules also can be an abnormal but harmless growth of cells. Less commonly, lung nodules can be early-stage malignant tumors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nodules are smaller than 3 centimeters or 1.2 inches. A growth larger than that is considered a pulmonary mass and is more likely to be cancerous. Nodules are found in up to half of adults who get a chest X-ray or CT scan, according to the American Thoracic Society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The board-certified and fellowship-trained specialists at Norton Pulmonary Specialists have the experience and training to provide a precise diagnosis of lung nodules. If treatment is necessary, they\u2019ll develop a customized plan for your care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Norton Pulmonary Specialists team works together to collaborate on your case. It also works with specialists across the Norton Healthcare system to collect viewpoints from other physicians when necessary. Whether you need to manage symptoms or require aggressive treatment for cancer, we have the resources to take care of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is a Lung Nodule?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lung nodules are small overgrowths of tissue surrounded by healthy tissue and will be apparent in a chest X-ray or CT scan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scar tissue, a healed infection or an irritant from the air can cause a lung nodule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When to Worry About Lung Nodules<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Very few lung nodules are cancerous. Likelihood of cancer increases if you are older, if the nodule is larger, if you are or have been a cigarette smoker or have other cancer risks such as a family history or asbestos exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll monitor your nodule to watch for growth over time. We\u2019ll conduct regular CT scans to track the size of your nodule. Benign nodules usually don\u2019t grow. If a nodule stays the same for two years, the chances of cancer are very low.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some cases, we\u2019ll need to take a biopsy of the nodule with a needle or a surgical procedure. Minimally invasive lung biopsies, using robotic-assisted bronchoscopy, allow our specialists to reach nodules on more parts of the lung, sometimes avoiding major surgery. Without the risks that come with major surgery, robotic-assisted bronchoscopy<\/a> allows our specialists to perform more biopsies and increase the chances of identifying cancerous nodules at a very early stage when they are most treatable.<\/p>\n\n\n

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