If the nodule remains the same size for at least two years, it is considered benign. That's because benign lung nodules grow slowly, if at all. On the other hand, cancerous nodules, on average, double in size every four months.
Cancerous pulmonary nodules, however, are known to grow relatively quickly—usually doubling in size every four months but sometimes as fast as every 25 days. A cancerous nodule is a lesion or “sore” that steadily engulfs more and more of the structures of the lung.
Pulmonary sclerosing pneumocytoma is an uncommon slow-growing benign tumor that usually occurs in middle-aged women and generally presents as a solitary well-defined nodule.
The smaller the nodule, the more likely it is to be benign. Also, benign nodules grow very slowly, if at all, while cancerous nodules on average can double in size every four months or less. Nodule content, shape and color: Another way to tell a benign lung nodule from a malignant one is to test its calcium content.
Lung carcinoid tumors are uncommon and tend to grow slower than other types of lung cancers. They are made up of special kinds of cells called neuroendocrine cells. They are usually classified as typical or atypical carcinoids. Carcinoids are very rare, slow-growing and most commonly treated with surgery.
Generally speaking, malignant nodules grow fast, usually doubling in size in just six months. Nodules that grow slower are less likely to be cancerous. Inflammation in the lung resulting from an infection or disease. An infectious fungus, a lung abscess and even tuberculosis can cause nodules in the lungs.
Studies have shown that lung cancer doubling time can vary, from 229 days to 647 days in one study, depending upon the type. 7 It's possible that some types of lung cancer progress within weeks to months, while others may take years to grow.
However, your doctor may suspect a lung nodule is cancerous if it grows quickly or has ridged edges. Even if your doctor believes the nodule is benign or noncancerous, he or she may order follow-up chest scans for some time to monitor the nodule and identify any changes in size, shape or appearance.
First, you may be comforted to know that, while lung nodules may be an indicator of lung cancer, benign nodules are common. Common lung nodule causes may include scar tissue, previous infections or other reasons. A CT (computed tomography) scan alone may not be enough to confirm or rule out lung cancer.
The location of the lung nodule may guide the care team in evaluating possible risk, and studies indicate that nodules in the upper lobe may be more indicative of cancer. However, not all nodules in the upper region of the lung are cancerous, and not all nodules located elsewhere are benign.
Nodules between 6 mm and 10 mm need to be carefully assessed. Nodules greater than 10 mm in diameter should be biopsied or removed due to the 80 percent probability that they are malignant. Nodules greater than 3 cm are referred to as lung masses.
Most lung nodules are benign, or non-cancerous. In fact, only 3 or 4 out of 100 lung nodules end up being cancerous, or less than five percent. But, lung nodules should always be further evaluated for cancer, even if they're small.
Benign lung tumors don't spread to other areas of your body. Generally, benign tumors grow slowly, but they can sometimes stop growing or may even shrink.
For solitary part-solid nodules 6 mm or larger with a solid component less than 6 mm in diameter, follow-up is recommended at 3–6 months and then annually for a minimum of 5 years.
Carcinoid tumors are cancerous, but have been called cancer in slow motion, because if you have a carcinoid tumor, you may have it for many years and never know it. In rare cases, usually after a carcinoid tumor has spread, it can cause symptoms called carcinoid syndrome.
When an infection or illness inflames lung tissue, a small clump of cells (granuloma) can form. Over time, a granuloma can calcify or harden in the lung, causing a noncancerous lung nodule. A neoplasm is an abnormal growth of cells in the lung. Neurofibromas are a type of noncancerous neoplasm.
Thyroid nodules are caused by an overgrowth of cells in the thyroid gland. These growths can be: Not cancer (benign), thyroid cancer (malignant), or very rarely, other cancers or infections.
The 5-year relative survival rate for NSCLC in women in the United States is 33%. The 5-year relative survival rate for men is 23%. For people with localized NSCLC, which means the cancer has not spread outside the lung, the overall 5-year relative survival rate is 65%.
If >6 mm, the repeat CT at 3 to 6 months, if nodule continues to grow or has persistent solid component >6 mm, the patient is deemed high risk, and resection should be considered. A CT should be performed annually for 5 years if the nodule is unchanged from a prior and solid component <6 mm.
These scans are usually repeated every three to six months for a two-year period. If the nodule does not change during that time, it is likely benign and needs no further treatment. Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: The PET scan will light up the nodule if it is rapidly growing or active.
Pulmonary nodules are common incidental findings on imaging
About 30% of all chest computed tomography (CT) scans contain one or more pulmonary nodules. Larger nodules can also be seen on chest radiographs.
In contrast, Mydral et al16 found the time from onset of symptoms to treatment was shorter in patients with stage IV lung cancer (median 3.4 months) than in those with stage I/II disease (median 5.5 months).
Almost all cases of small cell lung cancer are due to cigarette smoking. It is a fast-growing cancer that spreads much more quickly than other types of lung cancer.
age (most people diagnosed with lung cancer are 65 or older; the average age of people when diagnosed is about 70) cigarette smoking (nearly 90 percent of lung cancers are thought to be a result of smoking)