Nodules On Lungs Lungs Diagram of a Smoker after Smoking Cancer Anatomy And Heart Drawing Images AFter Smoking Wee of a Weed Smoker

Nodules On Lungs Biography

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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. How Common are Lung Nodules, Lung nodules are quite common, and are found on 1 in 500 chest x-rays, and 1 in 100 CT scans 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.

What are the Chances That a Lung Nodule is Cancer? 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 hi story 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 appears darker on x-rays, are more likely to be benign. Causes 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 ashistoplasmosis 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. More About Causes of Lung Nodules Symptoms, Most lung nodules do not have any symptoms and are found “accidentally” when a chest x-ray is done for some other reason. If symptoms are present, they may include a cough or coughing up blood if the nodule(s) is located near a major airway. Diagnosis The first thing your doctor will want to do if she sees a lung nodule on your x-ray is to obtain any previous x-rays you have had and compare them. If the nodule or nodules have been present for a long time, further tests may not be needed. If the lung nodule is new or you don’t have any prior x-rays to compare, further workup may include:

Nodules On Lungs Lungs Diagram of a Smoker after Smoking Cancer Anatomy And Heart Drawing Images AFter Smoking Wee of a Weed Smoker

Nodules On Lungs Lungs Diagram of a Smoker after Smoking Cancer Anatomy And Heart Drawing Images AFter Smoking Wee of a Weed Smoker

Nodules On Lungs Lungs Diagram of a Smoker after Smoking Cancer Anatomy And Heart Drawing Images AFter Smoking Wee of a Weed Smoker

Nodules On Lungs Lungs Diagram of a Smoker after Smoking Cancer Anatomy And Heart Drawing Images AFter Smoking Wee of a Weed Smoker

Nodules On Lungs Lungs Diagram of a Smoker after Smoking Cancer Anatomy And Heart Drawing Images AFter Smoking Wee of a Weed Smoker

Nodules On Lungs Lungs Diagram of a Smoker after Smoking Cancer Anatomy And Heart Drawing Images AFter Smoking Wee of a Weed Smoker

Nodules On Lungs Lungs Diagram of a Smoker after Smoking Cancer Anatomy And Heart Drawing Images AFter Smoking Wee of a Weed Smoker

Nodules On Lungs Lungs Diagram of a Smoker after Smoking Cancer Anatomy And Heart Drawing Images AFter Smoking Wee of a Weed Smoker

Nodules On Lungs Lungs Diagram of a Smoker after Smoking Cancer Anatomy And Heart Drawing Images AFter Smoking Wee of a Weed Smoker

Nodules On Lungs Lungs Diagram of a Smoker after Smoking Cancer Anatomy And Heart Drawing Images AFter Smoking Wee of a Weed Smoker

Nodules On Lungs Lungs Diagram of a Smoker after Smoking Cancer Anatomy And Heart Drawing Images AFter Smoking Wee of a Weed Smoker

Nodules On Lungs Lungs Diagram of a Smoker after Smoking Cancer Anatomy And Heart Drawing Images AFter Smoking Wee of a Weed Smoker

Nodules On Lungs Lungs Diagram of a Smoker after Smoking Cancer Anatomy And Heart Drawing Images AFter Smoking Wee of a Weed Smoker

Nodules On Lungs Lungs Diagram of a Smoker after Smoking Cancer Anatomy And Heart Drawing Images AFter Smoking Wee of a Weed Smoker

Nodules On Lungs Lungs Diagram of a Smoker after Smoking Cancer Anatomy And Heart Drawing Images AFter Smoking Wee of a Weed Smoker