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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Have A Module In The Lower Lobe Due To Smoking

HI, my name is Melissa. I am 43 years old and a smoker since I was 15. I had a 2 mm nodule in my left lower lobe. A year later a follow up scan was done which showed the nodule at 3 mm and a new one in the right upper lobe at 5 mm. Today I went for another follow up CT. I haven't been feeling well for a while. I wake up coughing and spitting up mucous for a few hours each morning. I am short of breath when I'm sitting or eating. My coughing seems to be getting worse, but I haven't seen any blood in it. I am also Extremely exhausted all the time. Is it Normal for a 5mm nodule to appear within a year or it may have been a shorter span.. it may have been a few months? Terribly worried, but rather be prepared than devastated!
Sat, 1 Feb 2014
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Addiction Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hi Melissa,

I understand that you worried that the nodules may be cancerous. But in my opinion, there is a greater chance that the nodules will be found to be benign. Benign nodules are far more common than malignant ones. Malignant ones are usually larger than 25 mm. Even the rate of growth of the second one is not something to be excessively concerned about. It might have been present in the previous scan as well but may not have been picked up. Your breathlessness, cough and fatigue may be due to just bronchitis. In my opinion, you should wait for the reports to come and let your doctor decide if any more tests are needed. I hope you have quit smoking. If not, please do so as soon as possible.

Best wishes.
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Have A Module In The Lower Lobe Due To Smoking

Hi Melissa, I understand that you worried that the nodules may be cancerous. But in my opinion, there is a greater chance that the nodules will be found to be benign. Benign nodules are far more common than malignant ones. Malignant ones are usually larger than 25 mm. Even the rate of growth of the second one is not something to be excessively concerned about. It might have been present in the previous scan as well but may not have been picked up. Your breathlessness, cough and fatigue may be due to just bronchitis. In my opinion, you should wait for the reports to come and let your doctor decide if any more tests are needed. I hope you have quit smoking. If not, please do so as soon as possible. Best wishes.