Lung Nodules
A lung nodule is a small growth in the lung. Lung nodules are smaller than three centimeters in diameter. A growth larger than three centimeters is called a lung mass.
Most lung nodules are benign (benign). Benign lung nodules can have a wide variety of causes, including:
- Infections
- Noninfectious disorders such as sarcoidosis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), and rheumatoid arthritis
- Neoplasms
In some cases, a nodule may be cancerous. Causes of malignant lung nodules include:
- Lung cancer
- Lymphoma
- Carcinoid
- Sarcoma
- Metastatic tumors
Signs & Symptoms
There are usually no symptoms associated with lung nodules. Most of the time, a patient is unaware that he or she has a lung nodule until a chest X-ray or CT scan of the lungs is done.
Diagnosis
Lung nodules are normally detected during a chest x-ray or CT scan.