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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Valley Fever Mediated Lung Nodule Be Malignant?

A year ago I came down with valley fever. Since then I have a nodule on my left ling which is 3cm. I have had ct scans every 3 months and there has been no change. My doctor is recommending a lung biopsy to make sure this is not cancer and I m not sure whether to go ahead or (his second option) wait another 6 months and get another scan or the biopsy. I am in excellent health otherwise and have never smoked.
Tue, 11 Feb 2014
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Thoracic Surgeon,  's  Response
While the lung nodule may have been detected in the process of the investigation and management of valley fever, a 3 cm nodule cannot be ignored. It should be biopsied and it is possible to do this by minimally invasive surgery or VATS. Prior to this, a PET scan should be done. If the nodule is PET positive, biopsy is mandatory. However it is important to remember that a small proportion of PET negative nodules can still be tumours.
A biopsy is therefore the safe way forward.
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Can Valley Fever Mediated Lung Nodule Be Malignant?

While the lung nodule may have been detected in the process of the investigation and management of valley fever, a 3 cm nodule cannot be ignored. It should be biopsied and it is possible to do this by minimally invasive surgery or VATS. Prior to this, a PET scan should be done. If the nodule is PET positive, biopsy is mandatory. However it is important to remember that a small proportion of PET negative nodules can still be tumours. A biopsy is therefore the safe way forward.