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A nodule in the lung

justi578 profile image
43 Replies

Hi everyone,

I'm 25 years old woman. Two months ago, as a preventive measure, I had a lung x-ray, which showed no changes. But a month ago I caught a respiratory infection, I was coughing up purulent secretion and some blood. I was given antibiotics, it went away, but due to the presence of blood, the doctor told me to do another X-ray. Today I received the result, which is described as follows:

"Poorly saturated shadow of an 8 mm nodule in the upper field of the right lung - previously much less visible. Minor diaphragmatic-pleural adhesions on the left side. Apart from that, the lung fields have no focal densities."

This nodule worries me :( I made an appointment with the doctor on Monday to discuss it, but I have the weekend ahead of me and I know that I will feel anxious during this time. Could it be something serious? Or just the effect of an infection? Have any of you had something similar and can tell me what the result was?

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justi578
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43 Replies
Alberta56 profile image
Alberta56

I hope someone will reply soon to assure you that lung nodules do not necessarily, indeed probably, mean anything too bad. i hope yours is fine.

justi578 profile image
justi578 in reply toAlberta56

Thank you!

peege profile image
peege

Hi, there are three posts plus their replies in the 'Related Posts' section on nodules which may be helpful. Click Related Posts to the right (or scroll down on a phone).

Deep breathing to help with the worry over the weekend - try calling the helpline on Monday too, 0300 222 5800 uk office hours. Thinking of you. P

justi578 profile image
justi578 in reply topeege

Thank you for your advice!

Caspiana profile image
Caspiana

Hi Justi. I completely understand your concern. In general most lung nodules are benign. In fact, only 3 or 4 out of 100 lung nodules end up being cancerous. I only know this because my sister had a lung nodule so I looked it up. Lung nodules are fairly common and is usually reaction to inflammation or infection. Having said that , it's good they are monitoring it. I always tell myself not to worry until there is actual need to.

Best wishes to you.

Cas 🙋🐶

justi578 profile image
justi578 in reply toCaspiana

Thank you very much 🩵

BronchyBronwen profile image
BronchyBronwen in reply toCaspiana

Wise words as always from you Caspiana. Hope you're doing well at the moment. BB xxx

Caspiana profile image
Caspiana in reply toBronchyBronwen

Hello BB. I am well thank you very much. How are things with you? Going steady I hope. xx ❤️

BronchyBronwen profile image
BronchyBronwen in reply toCaspiana

So glad you're doing OK, Caspiana. Absolutely fine on the bronch front right now, but main problem is back condition. Am focussing on all the good things in life right now!

You stay well, and many thanks for your reply. BB (aka M) xx ❤️🌹🌹🌹🌹

Ern007 profile image
Ern007

Hi justi578 - I have had a shadow on my lung since 2019 or 20. I was given a second XRay to confirm.

I have Bladder cancer and am given CT scans to make sure it had no spread.

The shadow in the Apex turned out to me a 6mm Nodule again it turned out to be just 6mm .

One specialist said it wasnothing had gone, then said it was scarring. he was not a good consultant.

I got a letter to check the nodule has not changed a couple of weeks ago.. That will be early July.

The point is a nodule under 8mm and usually not cancer.

"Lung nodules are usually 5 mm to 25 mm in size, but the larger nodules (larger than 25 mm) are more likely to be cancerous than the smaller ones."

That came from this link.

nm.org/conditions-and-care-....

Try not to worry -Your nodule at 7mm is small and not nessessarlily cancer.

justi578 profile image
justi578 in reply toErn007

Thank you for your answer!

Dottie11 profile image
Dottie11

I have had nodules on my lungs for many years. From inflammation and infections. Not linked to cancer in most cases. But must check it out always. xx

justi578 profile image
justi578 in reply toDottie11

Thank you for your reply!

Patk1 profile image
Patk1

Inflammation and scarring frm infection in lungs often look like nodules.theyll perhaps do ct scan + monitor it for a while to be sure

justi578 profile image
justi578 in reply toPatk1

Thanks for your answer!

Hopeful1 profile image
Hopeful1

The best news is that it was seen. I read about lung nodules recently. As said above it is v. common and v small so only 1or 2% chance of a nasty. If you had not had xray you would not be aware of it. Now it will be monitored and dealt with quickly if necessary so the xray put you in a good place.

justi578 profile image
justi578 in reply toHopeful1

Thank you for your answer!

Badbessie profile image
Badbessie

Hi. Obviously you must be very worried. Many people have lung nodules. These abnormal growths are rarely cancerous. Respiratory illnesses and infections can cause nodules to form in the lungs. Most lung nodules are not a sign of lung cancer and don't require treatment. As a general rule x-rays are not taken until six weeks post infection as the lungs can take time to recover. Given your age I doubt your nodule will be clinically significant. Normally if a nodule is found you will have follow up scans normally around 4 to 6 months later. I have had my nodule for eight years or longer now. My advice to you would be to keep away from Dr Google and look into ways to keep your lungs healthy. I stopped smoking, started exercising more and looked at my diet.

justi578 profile image
justi578 in reply toBadbessie

Thank you for your advice!

Donniebrasco profile image
Donniebrasco

Yes, i have had something similar, also after a bad chest infection, very, very few nodules turn out to be anything to worry about. 15 years later, I'm still here!! DBx

justi578 profile image
justi578 in reply toDonniebrasco

Thank you for your reply!

2013mayo profile image
2013mayo

hi, please try not to worry, I too had a lung nodule after a severe lung infection it turned out to be pneumonia plus fluid on one lung, I had a scan and 3 months later it was gone, my son also had a lung nodule, again it disappeared after a few months. Keep positive and hope it goes away.🍀

justi578 profile image
justi578 in reply to2013mayo

Thank you for your words!

Topgunele profile image
Topgunele

thank you for posting this. I am in same position as you so it is good to see all the positive comments on here. I had a respiratory infection in April and ended up in hospital where I had lung xray and ct scan. The ct scan showed nodules and I have a follow up ct scan next month for this. I have been really anxious about my next ct scan but having read all the responses to your post I am now feeling more reassured. So thank you for raising this. The main thing is you are being monitored so it sounds like you’re in good hands, but I totally understand you feeling anxious and it sounds like everyone else on here understands too. I hope it all goes well for you at your appointment. Good luck.

justi578 profile image
justi578 in reply toTopgunele

Thank you and all the best to you! I hope you'll be fine too.

Topgunele profile image
Topgunele in reply tojusti578

Good luck and all the best to you too. Hope all will be ok for you x

Goto4 profile image
Goto4

my wife had several nodules on lungs, secondary from an earlier cancer. She was prescribed Megace ( megasol) by her oncologist. The nodule disappeared.

justi578 profile image
justi578 in reply toGoto4

Thank you for your answer.

Otto11 profile image
Otto11

Hi it’s scary when you get diagnosed & quite normal to be worried. Hopefully your GP can reassure you. I was in a similar situation a few years ago. I had an x Ray as routine before starting a new Biologic for my RA. It showed a 7 mm nodule. I was started on a monitoring programme of regular high resolution CT’s. Sometimes it showed a nodule had vanished but others had arrived. Then they had shrunk but more new ones arrived. This continued for 3 years with sometimes 3 monthly CT’s or 6 monthly at which point it was decided they did not present like cancer so were happy to leave thing be. They said it was due to inflammation due to my RA not being under control. I believe they are quite common & generally tend to be inflammation so try not to worry too much.

justi578 profile image
justi578 in reply toOtto11

Thank you very much for sharing your experience!

teddyd profile image
teddyd

I have several nodules in my lungs, diagnosed years ago.Like most people I initially worried . It was seemingly caused by scaring with various infections. But they dont cause any issues xx

justi578 profile image
justi578 in reply toteddyd

Thank you very much!

Souielouie profile image
Souielouie

I had a ct scan 18 months ago & a nodule was found. I’m having 6 monthly ct scans to monitor it. So don’t worry you will be well informed & looked after 🥰

justi578 profile image
justi578 in reply toSouielouie

Thank you!

HouseBunny64 profile image
HouseBunny64

I had the same thing! I have COPD and I was scared! It turned out to be harmless. So I hope that helps!

justi578 profile image
justi578 in reply toHouseBunny64

Thank you 🩵

Mopsey1897 profile image
Mopsey1897

I have a couple of nodules of up to 8mm. They weren’t there last summer when I had a scan but in January I had that awful cough for 7 weeks. I coughed day and night and coughed so hard I had a spot of blood. I had another CT contrast scan in April and that’s when they showed up. I’m assuming they are the result of the bad cough infection I had. I had a CT Thorax scan at end of April as they want to monitor them. I see my respiratory clinic in Muly for results of it and my lung function tests. If they were serious I’d have been notified by now. Please try not to worry, like everyone says, they are very likely harmless x

GilpsJr profile image
GilpsJr

I have lots of lung nodules and am under regular screenings for 2 other cancers. They spotted a suspicious 2mm lung nodule and put me on a watch and wait programme and to come back in 3 months for another scan. I didn't wait and went private and had 2 wedges and lymph node removed from my lung. It came back benign. So if the nodule has no suspicious characteristics, I'd say you will probably be OK. I'm not medically trained but have studied almost everything in the last 2.5 years. Fingers crossed for you.

JJ_7 profile image
JJ_7

Hi Justi 578

I really understand your worry! I have had nodules for years and much worse too. There is excellent advice here from other nmembers so I won't repeat. I was a patiient of the Nodule Clinic for 4/5 years and they discharged me recently. Most hospitals have a nodule clinic and they take Xrays every 12 months or so just to make sure there is nothing sinister. Hope you have an encouraging meeting with your doctor tomorrow. Best wishes xxxx

Janzo54 profile image
Janzo54

hello,

I have had lots of benign lung nodules for years, the only time one got bigger 16 mm it was monitored with CT scans with contrasts. On the last CT it had resolved. I still have multiple ones but Ive learnt not to worry as anything over this size would be picked up and monitored. I dont have cancer so not worried about nodules being related, I do have COPD and lots of infections scar the lungs. I used to worry a lot about them but it seems they are quite common and Consultants dont worry about them unless they get big enough to show up on x-rays.

It Looks like they are keeping an eye on you so thats really good, try to put it to the back of uour mind and use distractions to focus on other things, Gladtonburys on! Walks in this lovely weather we are having, speak or hang out with friends.

Good luck! Let us know how you get on!

Janzo 🙏🏽xx

Itsmeok profile image
Itsmeok

I now have a number of modules, they are about 5 to 7 mm, at the start of them they tend to keep an eye on them every 3 to 6 months and if they don't go any further they then tend to check every year, I haven't been checked now for over a year, don't worry too much as normally they just sit there, they can be more sinister, but are common, they'll look after you so try not to worry

Alecasto profile image
Alecasto

I am not a medical doctor nor a specialist in lung conditions, but rest assured that: (1) the nodule could have been there for long time and be the aftermath of a prior infection (i.e. TBC), especially if calcified. (2) I don't think it has anything to do with your recent hemoptysis (blood in sputum), as the nodule does not seem to be localised near any bronchial wall (at least it is not mentioned in the chest x-ray report). If I were you, for piece of mind I would request a follow-up chest CT, which will provide more clarity on the nodule, it's location and appearance.

Topgunele profile image
Topgunele

Hi justi578, just wondered how you got on about your lung nodules. Really hope everything ok

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