NODULE IN LUNG

A sequela after a previous infection with a diameter of less than 3 cm located in the lung is a benign lung tumor or lesions that occur with the spread of lung cancer or another organ cancer to the lung. They are also known as “stains on the lungs” among the people.

What is a Lung Nodule?

Lung nodule, 3 cm, which is described as a stain among the people. It is the general name given to lesions up to diameter. These nodules may also be sequelae from a simple lung infection, an early lung cancer, a vascular lesion, benign tumor or metastasis.

Nodule in Lung

Since these nodules do not cause any symptoms or complaints most of the time, they were discovered incidentally in a lung examination performed for another reason.

How Are Lung Nodules Evaluated?

One or more nodules are detected in approximately 30% of lung tomography performed in normal people. Evaluation of the nodule is very important. First, the size of the nodule should be evaluated very well. While the probability of cancer is only 0.2% for nodules with a size of 3 mm or less, it is 18% for those between 8-20 mm and more than 64% for those larger than 20 mm.

Nodule in the lung (hamartoma)

If a nodule detected in a tomography examination shows an increase of more than 25% compared to its size in previous tomography, it also indicates a high risk of cancer. Therefore, if there are old tomographs available, comparison should be made and the decision should be made accordingly.

In the evaluation, after the size of the nodule, it is necessary to check whether the wall of the lesion is smooth. The cancer risk of nodules with irregular walls is 5 times higher.

Calcification in the structure of the nodule means that it is mostly benign.

Nodule in Lung (hamartoma)

It is very important to determine the cancer risk of the nodule seen by looking at these main features. Depending on the characteristics of the nodule, it should be decided whether the patient should be followed up with tomography or a biopsy should be performed.

PET-CT is one of the diagnostic methods used to evaluate the possibility of benign or malignant nodules. The sensitivity of PET-CT in the differentiation of benign and malignant lesions is 83-100%. Needle biopsy can be done for diagnosis. While the diagnosis rate is around 60% in nodules smaller than 1 cm, the diagnosis rate increases as the nodule grows.

Nodule in Lung (hamartoma)

Factors such as the size of the nodule and the characteristics of its wall roughly indicate that the nodule may be caused by a good or bad disease, but for a definitive diagnosis, the nodule must be surgically removed and a definitive diagnosis must be made by the pathology.

While removing the lung nodule detected in the high-risk patient group (such as smokers, with a family history of cancer) should be prioritized, radiological follow-up can be performed at certain intervals in the patient group without risk factors.

Cancer and nodule (granuloma) in the lung
No treatment is required for nodules that are definitively found to be benign. Follow up is enough.

How is the Treatment in Lung Nodule?

If the nodule is enlarged and there is a change in its shape, surgery should definitely be considered. If the nodule is in the periphery of the lung, it should be removed with VATS, and if it is in the inner parts of the lung, mini-thoracotomy operations should be performed.

Nodule in the lung (adeno ca)

In summary, the nodule in the lung should be evaluated by considering the following features:

  • Patient’s age
  • smoking history
  • family history of cancer
  • The patient’s previous lung infections
  • Whether the patient has nodules in previous examinations
  • Radiological features of the nodule.

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