What Test Should I Do To Confirm If The Nodules On The Lungs Are At An Early Stage Of Cancer?

Posted on Sun, 13 May 2018

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

Sun, 13 May 2018 Answered on

Mon, 8 Jan 2024 Last reviewed on

Question : I have posted so many questions and I'm a nervous wreck I'm barely functioning. a chest x ray found two nodules on his lungs one month ago 11mm and 7mm. he is still waiting for his cat scan due to a switch in insurance. I basically already have his funeral planned in my head and all I want are answers. I asked the dr if the cancer would likely be early stage since it's small and he did not have an answer for me. I'm a nurse so I know alot depends on the cell type... the rational part of me is gone and the people internet says that being 11mm its probably cancer

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I can understand your anxiety over this. He does need to have a CT scan to have a closer look. But it's important for you to know that only a small number of pulmonary nodules are cancerous, and when they are, they are usually 3 cm or more, so both of his nodules are relatively small.

In the meantime, he really must stop smoking if he still is doing so. If he needs help with this, there are medications such as Zyban which can help the process.

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