Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Does This Chest X-ray In A Smoker Indicate?
Question: I had a routine chest xray and they said there was what appeared to be an apical nodule 10mm x 14mm between anterior ribs 1 and 2 Im terrified.. i feel great and have no other syptoms or issues. i was a smoker smoked for about 12 years.. am 52 and quit smoking last fall about 6 months ago.. HELP I am too young to die and have an autistic son who needs me what are the odds this is cancer of the lung?
Brief Answer:
CT thorax with contrast is needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your situation and problem.
Since you had smoking habit, we need to rule out malignancy first for your apical nodule. In my opinion, with a back ground of smoking, this nodule (size of 10×14 mm), the possibility of malignant nodule is high (50-70% ). Therefore I recommend further tests.
Chest x ray is only a screening tool. It is not confirmatory for malignancy. CT thorax with contrast is needed for detailed evaluation of nodule.
About nodule following points are important to differentiate it (benign or malignant).
1. Exact size
2. Margins and border
3. Content
4. Calcification is present or not
5. Surrounding lung tissue involved or not
6. Mediastinal lymphnodes enlarged or not.
So, CT thorax is needed for detailed examination of above mentioned points.
If nodule is found to suspicious of malignancy on the CT, then biopsy is needed to confirm the type of cancer.
Discuss about CT scan with your treating doctor.
Hope this answers your question. I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks
CT thorax with contrast is needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your situation and problem.
Since you had smoking habit, we need to rule out malignancy first for your apical nodule. In my opinion, with a back ground of smoking, this nodule (size of 10×14 mm), the possibility of malignant nodule is high (50-70% ). Therefore I recommend further tests.
Chest x ray is only a screening tool. It is not confirmatory for malignancy. CT thorax with contrast is needed for detailed evaluation of nodule.
About nodule following points are important to differentiate it (benign or malignant).
1. Exact size
2. Margins and border
3. Content
4. Calcification is present or not
5. Surrounding lung tissue involved or not
6. Mediastinal lymphnodes enlarged or not.
So, CT thorax is needed for detailed examination of above mentioned points.
If nodule is found to suspicious of malignancy on the CT, then biopsy is needed to confirm the type of cancer.
Discuss about CT scan with your treating doctor.
Hope this answers your question. I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
