How long before you take next step?

[Feelinblue]

I just recently learned that I have a 5.9 mm nodule in the lower left quadrant of my lung. They are saying to wait six months for another scan. Is this too long?

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear Feelinblue

Welcome to the forum, where you can find support and encouragement.

Lung nodules can range between 5mm -30 mm, many are benign, especially the smallest ones and can disappear over time.

It is normal for follow up scans to be done either at 3 or 6 months to measure for any growth or change in the shape of the nodule.

A nodule of 5mm may be too small to biopsy and it may be considered if it measures above the 9mm.

It is understandable your concern and anxiety in waiting the 6 months, you could discuss this with your GP or consultant, where they may be able to reassure you.

If there is anything else you would like to discuss you can either email us a [e-mail] or call our freephone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[JanetteR57]

Your pseudonym suggests this is getting you down but try not to worry. Many many people are found to have small nodules in their lungs (usually as a results of ct scans done for something else or on some of the lung 'screening' pilot projects) but in the same way that millions of people have freckles or moles on their skin but hardly any develop into anything serious, the same is true for lungs. Also infection and inflammation can make some lung nodules 'appear' and 'shrink' or disappear which is why 'observation' or 'surveillance' is the usual action especially when so small. There have been different 'models' used on lung nodules in some studies but the more reliable measure seems to be 'volume doubling time' as well as size - in other words, how quickly they grow as many shrink as already advised by the moderator. I've been involved in lung cancer research for some years and involved with the group working up 'lung health checks' and it is because of how commonly they're found that standards are being established across the UK and Europe for this in future. It is 10 years since I turned up in hospital and eventually had half my lung removed along with a 7cm tumour that turned out to non small cell lung cancer. I was concerned as months of delays occurred between it being found on chest x-ray on emergency admission and actually doing a scan (scanner broke down) and then treatment. My tumour was almost twelve times the size but my follow on treatment post surgery was also 'surveillance' or 'watchful waiting'. If that is the course of action it's best to find ways to distract yourself from worrying and thinking about it all the time. I'm unsure whether the enclosed video film designed to help people consider whether lung screening might be appropriate will help reassure you... good luck.

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