lung nodule - Scan found lung nodule, no indicate of calcification.

	Asked by Unregistered on Wed 26, Mar 2008 05:41pm
	Last week I underwent a CT scan to R/O a kidney stone, due to right flank pain. No kidney stone but the scan revealed an "incidental" finding of a 6-8 mm lung nodule, and did not indicate if it was "calcified." My primary care doctor did not seem too concerned and said this happened quite a bit. I quit smoking at least 15 years ago. I have no history of cancer and I am 59 years old. I am concerned at this time. He wants to do a f/u CT scan in 6 months. I am a nurse and did some research on this matter and became more concerned. Please advise. Sincerely, Anita
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	Answer by Dr Heinrik M, MD (doctor) on Wed 26, Mar 2008 06:40pm: Hi, The follow-up CT scan is a good idea. The nodule is not that big, based on size alone, it is not likely to be malignant. Monitoring is a valid option, even if you have a smoking history. On a more positive note, if you’ve quit more than 15 years ago, your risk is no longer as high as it used to be (compared to the time you were actively smoking). If you had a CT scan of the abdomen with the bottom segments of the chest only captured by the scan, it may be better to do a chest CT scan, to be sure that is the only pertinent finding. It would be difficult to interpret a subsequent chest CT, if changes will be based on a partial section only. If you can have the scan done in a large volume center (a place where thoracic surgeries are commonplace) the radiologists may provide better interpretations.
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