What it is
A lung nodule is a small spot in the lung seen on a CT scan. Most are not cancerous. Careful assessment of its size, shape, growth over time and your individual risk factors helps determine whether it can be safely monitored or needs further investigation.
Common symptoms
Most lung nodules cause no symptoms and are discovered on a CT scan rather than because they are making you feel unwell.
- Found incidentally on a scan performed for another reason
- Detected through lung cancer screening
- Occasionally found when investigating symptoms such as a persistent cough or chest infection
Treatment approach
Your care will depend on the appearance of the nodule, whether it has changed over time and your individual circumstances. Many nodules can be safely monitored with follow-up CT scans, or may need no further follow-up at all, while others may need a PET-CT scan or biopsy.
If surgery is recommended, the nodule can often be removed with a small wedge of lung (wedge resection) using minimally invasive robotic or VATS (keyhole) techniques. In some cases, the nodule can be examined immediately during the operation (known as a frozen section), helping to guide whether any further surgery is needed during the same procedure.
