Lung Nodule Biography
(Source google.com)
If
you have been told you have a lung nodule or lung nodules on an x-ray,
it can be very frightening. What causes lung nodules? Are they common?
Could I have lung cancer? While the majority (at least 60%) of lung
nodules are due to benign (not cancerous) conditions, it is important to
work with your doctor to determine the cause. When lung cancer is
caught early and is still small, there is a greater chance that it can
be cured. A lung nodule is defined as a “spot” on the lung that is 3
cm (about 1 ½ inches) in diameter or less. If an abnormality is seen on
an x-ray of the lungs that is larger than 3 cm, it is considered a “lung
mass” instead of a nodule, and is more likely to be cancerous. Lung
nodules usually need to be at least 1 cm in size before they can be seen
on a chest x-ray. Lung nodules are quite common, and are found on 1 in
500 chest x-rays, and 1 in 100 CT scans can be either benign
(non-cancerous) or malignant (cancer). The most common causes of benign
nodules include granulomas (clumps of inflamed tissue) and hamartomas
(benign lung tumors). The most common cause of malignant lung nodules
include lung cancer, or cancer from other regions of the body that has
spread to the lungs (metastatic cancer). Lung nodules can be broken down
into of the chest. Approximately 150,000 lung nodules are
detected in people in the United States each year. Roughly half of
smokers over the age of 50 will have nodules on a CT scan of their
chest. Overall, the likelihood that a lung nodule is cancer is 40%, but
the risk of a lung nodule being cancerous varies considerably depending
on several things. In people less than 35 years of age, the chance that a
lung nodule is cancer is less than 1%, whereas half of lung nodules in
people over age 50 are malignant (cancerous). Other factors that raise
or lower the risk that a lung nodule is cancer include, Size – Larger
nodules are more likely to be cancerous than smaller nodules.
Smoking – Current and former smokers are more likely to have cancerous lung nodules than never smokers. Occupation – Some occupational exposures raise the likelihood that a lung nodule is cancer. Medical history - Having a history of cancer increases the chance that a lung nodule is malignant. Shape – Smooth, round nodules are more likely to be benign, whereas irregular or “spiculated” nodules are more likely to be cancerous. Growth – Cancerous lung nodules tend to grow fairly rapidly with an average doubling time of about 4 months, while benign nodules tend to remain the same size over time. Calcification – Lung nodules that are calcified are more likely to be benign. Cavitation – Lung nodules described as “cavitary,” meaning that the interior part of the nodule are malignant (cancerous). Other factors that raise or lower the risk that a lung nodule is cancer include, Size – Larger nodules are more likely to be cancerous than smaller nodules. Smoking – Current and former smokers are more likely to have cancerous lung nodules than never smokers. Occupation – Some occupational exposures appears darker on x-rays, are more likely to be benign.
Lung nodules can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancer). The most common causes of benign nodules include granulomas (clumps of inflamed tissue) and hamartomas (benign lung tumors). The most common cause of malignant lung nodules include lung cancer, or cancer from other regions of the body that has spread to the lungs (metastatic cancer). Lung nodules can be broken down into a few major categories: Infections - This includes bacterial infections such as tuberculosis, fungal infections such as histoplasmosis and coccidiomycosis, and parasitic infections such as ascariasis (roundworms). Inflammation - Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, and Wegener’s granulomatosis can cause lung nodules. Benign tumors - Benign lung tumors such as hamartomas can show up as a nodule in the lungs on x-ray. Malignant tumors – This includes lung cancer, lymphomas, and cancer that has spread to the lungs from other parts of the body, among others.
Smoking – Current and former smokers are more likely to have cancerous lung nodules than never smokers. Occupation – Some occupational exposures raise the likelihood that a lung nodule is cancer. Medical history - Having a history of cancer increases the chance that a lung nodule is malignant. Shape – Smooth, round nodules are more likely to be benign, whereas irregular or “spiculated” nodules are more likely to be cancerous. Growth – Cancerous lung nodules tend to grow fairly rapidly with an average doubling time of about 4 months, while benign nodules tend to remain the same size over time. Calcification – Lung nodules that are calcified are more likely to be benign. Cavitation – Lung nodules described as “cavitary,” meaning that the interior part of the nodule are malignant (cancerous). Other factors that raise or lower the risk that a lung nodule is cancer include, Size – Larger nodules are more likely to be cancerous than smaller nodules. Smoking – Current and former smokers are more likely to have cancerous lung nodules than never smokers. Occupation – Some occupational exposures appears darker on x-rays, are more likely to be benign.
Lung nodules can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancer). The most common causes of benign nodules include granulomas (clumps of inflamed tissue) and hamartomas (benign lung tumors). The most common cause of malignant lung nodules include lung cancer, or cancer from other regions of the body that has spread to the lungs (metastatic cancer). Lung nodules can be broken down into a few major categories: Infections - This includes bacterial infections such as tuberculosis, fungal infections such as histoplasmosis and coccidiomycosis, and parasitic infections such as ascariasis (roundworms). Inflammation - Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, and Wegener’s granulomatosis can cause lung nodules. Benign tumors - Benign lung tumors such as hamartomas can show up as a nodule in the lungs on x-ray. Malignant tumors – This includes lung cancer, lymphomas, and cancer that has spread to the lungs from other parts of the body, among others.
No comments:
Post a Comment