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What Does "5 Mm Nodule Projecting At Anterior Of The First Right Rib" Mean?

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Posted on Mon, 23 Jun 2014
Question: hi i have had a chest xray as i was experiencing a staph chest infection with lots of green sputum but not feeling unwell at all.they found a 5 mm nodule projecting at the anterior of the first right rib possible summation shadow and they want it repeated in 6 weeks ..why wait so long and should i be worried
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Hi and welcome to HCM

Detailed Answer:
You should not be worried. Such findings are very common and usually it isnt indicating any pathology as radiologist already mentioned. If you are afraid of cancer then you should not be since this is not feature and localization of malignant tumors. There are some other possible causes of such nodules such as calcifications, localize dinflammatory processes or benign tumors but in every case you dont have to hurry with xrays. nothing significant can happen in those 6 weeks. WIsh you good health. Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (17 minutes later)
hi thanks for quick reply..so a nodule projecting at the anterior of the first rib in the upper apex is not a usual place for a malignancy?. if it was malignant would it be too small at 5 mm to cause any symptoms?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (22 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
hi

Detailed Answer:
yes, this description of lung nodule is not typical for malignancy. And, such small nodules shouldnt be symptomatic. It could cause symptoms only if there would be erosion of large blood vessel or if this is infiltrating pleura. And these scenarios are rare
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (53 minutes later)
hi again is the right upper lobe not the most common place for malignancy? why do you say the description of lung nodule is not typical for maligancy?it was called a nodular opacity
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (18 hours later)
Brief Answer:
hi

Detailed Answer:
it can be found in projection of first rib but it is usually placed more peripheral,near pleura and in lower/middle parts of lungs. Such small nodules are rarely cancerous and you probably have it for many years and it usually presents fibrosis, calcification, or consequence of previous infection.
Of course, it is not impossible that this is maligannts,especially if you are smoker,but in this case you should feel very lucky since you found it accidentaly in very early phase.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 13886 Questions

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What Does "5 Mm Nodule Projecting At Anterior Of The First Right Rib" Mean?

Brief Answer: Hi and welcome to HCM Detailed Answer: You should not be worried. Such findings are very common and usually it isnt indicating any pathology as radiologist already mentioned. If you are afraid of cancer then you should not be since this is not feature and localization of malignant tumors. There are some other possible causes of such nodules such as calcifications, localize dinflammatory processes or benign tumors but in every case you dont have to hurry with xrays. nothing significant can happen in those 6 weeks. WIsh you good health. Regards