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First of all, congratulations on quitting smoking!
Keep taking those healthy, positive steps.
A Solitary Pulmonary Nodule (SPN) is a single,
circular or elliptical opaque area that is less than
3cm in diameter and is surrounded by normal lung
tissue. Individuals typically have no symptoms so
SPNs are usually found accidentally. Though most
SPN's are due to lung cancer, granuloma, solitary
metastasis, hamartoma, and carcinoid tumors, an SPN in
an X-ray does not (on its own) mean that cancer is
present. Past clinical history and mathematical
equations (Bayesian analysis) are used to help with
the diagnosis.
Any abnormal diagnostic event should continue to be
monitored. You may ask your internist to refer you to
an oncologist in the area since you have a smoking and
cancer history. He/she can then adequately review
your complete background. An oncologist may order a
transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy (TNAB), which
uses a long needle inserted through the chest wall to
remove a tissue sample from the SPN if cancer is
suspected. A pathologist would then make the final
determination.
Patients diagnosed to have non-cancerous nodules are
usually followed up for about 2 years from the time of
diagnosis on chest radiographs (x-rays, and/or CT
scans). Patients diagnosed to have cancer undergo a
surgical procedure (thoracotomy, or lobectomy) for
treatment/removal of abnormality. They are then
closely monitored with a follow-up chest x-rays or
scan every 3 to 4 times during the first year and
every 6 months during the second year.
You are on the right track already by continuing to
keep a close eye on your health.
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