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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Could Growing Density In Left Lower Lobe With Stage 3 Emphysema Be Cancer?

I just left the hospital in Los Angeles after 2 weeks.I had viral herpes esophagitis. During the course of exams they took a number of CT scans which showed 2.0cm spiculated density in the left lower lobe. It was compared to a CT scan of 2 years ago and it appeared to have doubled in size. I also have stage 3 emphysema. They will be doing a CT/pet scan in 3 months. Is thereby speculation on your part as to the cancer potential growth….and is it cancer based on what I have described. Thanks
posted on Wed, 11 Jun 2014
Twitter Fri, 1 May 2015 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 4 May 2015 Last reviewed on
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Radiologist,  's  Response
Hi,
Lung nodules should always be carefully analyzed for malignancy changes. A nodule that is 2.0 cm right now has to be watched for over the next 3 months to know how much doubling takes place concerning the volume of the nodule. A nodule measuring 3.0 cm or more has a higher chance of malignancy. Spiculations are linear strands extending from the lung margin and have been seen in 90 percent of carcinomas and also in some benign lesions.

The average doubling time of a malignant lesion is 100 days and that is the reason you have been advised to take PET CT after 3 months duration. This is an investigation which clearly picks out cancer lesions from non cancerous ones. If the lesion has a volume doubling time of more than 6 months then it is likely to be benign. Please do not worry.
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Could Growing Density In Left Lower Lobe With Stage 3 Emphysema Be Cancer?

Hi, Lung nodules should always be carefully analyzed for malignancy changes. A nodule that is 2.0 cm right now has to be watched for over the next 3 months to know how much doubling takes place concerning the volume of the nodule. A nodule measuring 3.0 cm or more has a higher chance of malignancy. Spiculations are linear strands extending from the lung margin and have been seen in 90 percent of carcinomas and also in some benign lesions. The average doubling time of a malignant lesion is 100 days and that is the reason you have been advised to take PET CT after 3 months duration. This is an investigation which clearly picks out cancer lesions from non cancerous ones. If the lesion has a volume doubling time of more than 6 months then it is likely to be benign. Please do not worry.