Almost every day, netizens with pulmonary nodules send me lung CT reports and ask me if this lung nodule is benign. In order to better help you judge, today I have summarized the common characteristics of six benign nodules, which you can compare with your own CT report.
The first feature is that the nodule is less than eight millimeters in size and has a regular morphology. If there is no significant change in size after two years of follow-up, then the nodule is likely to be benign. This is because malignant pulmonary nodules usually grow continuously, while benign nodules may remain stable over time or gradually decrease.
The second feature is that the pulmonary nodule shrinks during follow-up. Only inflammatory nodules are likely to shrink without **, while malignant pulmonary nodules are not. Therefore, if a lung nodule is found to have a tendency to shrink in a short period of time, then this may be a benign presentation.
The third feature is that ground-glass nodules rapidly enlarge in a short period of time. In general, malignant pulmonary nodules grow slowly, while nodules caused by inflammation may become larger in a short period of time. Therefore, if a ground-glass nodule grows rapidly over a period of several weeks, it may be a sign of increased inflammation rather than a malignant nodule.
The fourth feature is that the nodule has been completely calcified. Calcified pulmonary nodules are usually benign because calcifications usually indicate that the nodule is stable and not active. This calcified nodule is basically risk-free and does not need to be performed**.
The fifth feature is that there is no significant change in the density and size of pure ground-glass nodules during long-term follow-up examination. This indolent pulmonary nodule is usually benign and the risk is mostly manageable, even if there are changes in subsequent tests. These nodules grow very slowly, so they remain stable or change only slightly over a long period of time.
The sixth feature is multiple micronodules that are less than five millimeters in size. These tiny pulmonary nodules are usually benign because malignant nodules in the lungs are usually larger and have more abnormal appearances. At present, there are no cases of malignant nodules smaller than five millimeters in clinical practice, so such tiny nodules are basically safe.
The above are the common characteristics of six benign pulmonary nodules, which you can judge in combination with your own CT report. Of course, the best way to do this is to have a professional doctor diagnose it. The doctor will perform a comprehensive evaluation based on the patient's specific situation and the characteristics of the CT report to determine the nature of the pulmonary nodule. If the doctor believes that the pulmonary nodule may be malignant, the patient will be advised for further testing or**. Therefore, if you have any doubts about whether your lung nodules are benign, you must seek medical attention in time and seek help and advice from a professional doctor. At the same time, it is also necessary to maintain good living habits and mentality, strengthen self-management and regular follow-up and review, so as to detect and deal with any abnormal situations in a timely manner.