Can An X-Ray Detect Benign Nodule In Chest?

Posted on Sat, 26 Sep 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 25 Sep 2015 Answered on

Fri, 16 Oct 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have 3 benign no duals in my chest. They are small . I am 69 years old. The doctor said not to worry at all and take another x Ray in a year. What do you think

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (-1 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Better to get done CT thorax.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Nodules in the lung in old age must be evaluated with CT scan.
Chest x ray is just a screening tool. It can not give detailed information about nodule.
While CT scan gives much more information about nodule like exact size, shape, margins, borders, calcified or not, association with lung parenchyma, mediastinal lymphnodes enlarged or not etc.
And all these are important in deciding nature of nodule (benign or malignant).
So better to first get done CT thorax.
If it shows benign nodules than get done repeat CT thorax after 6 months.
If this is also same than get done chest x ray yearly.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar