A solitary pulmonary nodule is known as a lesion in which a more or less rounded image is observed with a separation of maximum 3 cm detected by radiology. In other words, a spot that can be round or oval is detected on a chest X-ray or CT scan, which refers to the lesion in the area. Although some people suffer from pulmonary nodules in which several are discovered, there is also the possibility of finding a solitary pulmonary nodule and, depending on its size, they can be revealed by various studies or go unnoticed; however, this does not occur with calcium nodules, as even the smallest can be detected.
This alteration is quite frequent although it is usually found only with the performance of other studies for various reasons. If you want to know more about this pathology, in the following FastlyHealarticle, we detail all the information about the solitary pulmonary nodule: what it is, causes, symptoms and treatment.
Table of Contents
What is a solitary pulmonary nodule?
The solitary pulmonary nodule, also known by the acronym NPS, is a lesion up to 3 cm in diameter , whose shape can be oval or round, which is completely surrounded by healthy lung parenchyma. In general, it is usually found in the form of a finding after a chest X-ray prescribed for some other condition, so it can often be present in totally asymptomatic patients.
If there are lesions larger than 3 cm in diameter, they are called lung masses. These belong to a different classification than NPS because they have a considerably higher rate of malignancy and both their management and their treatment are very different from nodules.
Of all the patients who are diagnosed with NPS, a little more than 50% are benign, although there are certain malignant cases; however, this is particularly prominent in elderly patients. Despite this, it is essential to carry out total controls on a frequent basis to detect any anomaly and that it can be treated correctly early, ensuring a better quality in the results of the treatment indicated by the professional.
Causes of solitary pulmonary nodule
Causes of benign pulmonary nodule
The benign solitary pulmonary nodule is the most common type of nodule in the lungs. There are various causes for both benign and malignant nodules. In the first case, it is recommended to carry out constant professional monitoring and find the exact cause of it, among which the following stand out:
- Infections.
- Inflammations of the lung.
- Appearance of abnormal tissue growths, a disorder known as neoplasia.
Causes of malignant pulmonary nodule
On the other hand, malignant nodules may be related to other causes and urgent treatment is essential. This is because large, rapidly growing nodules are usually caused by lung cancer ; However, there may also be other causes, such as advanced age, a history of having suffered malignant nodules and having a history of having used tobacco, mainly when it is excessive.
Solitary pulmonary nodule: symptoms
In general, the symptoms of a solitary pulmonary nodule are not evident in the person even if they have had this alteration for a while. This is why most of the time the pathology is diagnosed incidentally when conducting studies for other conditions.
Despite this, the patient may have a persistent cough or cough up blood , which could indicate a malignant nodule; however, this symptom is not always present even though the patient is suffering from this alteration.
Likewise, the patient may develop pain and fever only in cases where the solitary pulmonary nodule is caused by an infection. In any case, it is essential to carry out a medical consultation at the precise moment that this alteration is detected.
Solitary pulmonary nodule treatment and operation
The treatment of the solitary pulmonary nodule can vary significantly between each patient, since it will depend on the cause of the nodule and the type of nodule with which it has. If it is a benign lesion, no treatment is needed; however, it is important to follow up with a medical professional on a regular basis.
If your doctor has diagnosed a benign nodule caused by infection or inflammation , your specialist may prescribe certain antibiotics to relieve the infectious disorder while controlling the nodule.
In the event that the patient is found with a malignant nodule or with high suspicions of being one and it has not spread to other regions or nodes, the doctor will most likely choose to perform a surgical treatment to eliminate it.
On the other hand, there are certain cases in which professionals diagnose a doubtful case, that is, due to its condition at the time of detection, it is not certain whether it is a benign or malignant nodule, so it is important to wait and see. see its evolution. This is why it is necessary to carry out permanent controls with a trusted doctor and determine the treatment for the solitary pulmonary nodule that best suits the condition.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Solitary pulmonary nodule: what it is, causes, symptoms and treatment , we recommend that you enter our Lung and respiratory tract category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.