Solitary Pulmonary Nodule

Solitary Pulmonary Nodule Overview

A solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) is a single abnormality in the lung that is smaller than 3 cm in diameter. Generally, a pulmonary nodule must grow to at least 1 cm in diameter before it can be seen on a chest x-ray film.

An SPN is surrounded by normal lung tissue and is not associated with any other abnormality in the lung or nearby lymph nodes (small, bean-shaped structures found throughout the body).

Persons with SPNs usually do not experience symptoms. SPNs are usually noticed by chance on a chest x-ray film that has been taken for another reason (referred to as an incidental finding). SPNs are one of the most common abnormalities seen on chest x-ray films. Approximately 150,000 cases are detected every year as incidental findings, either on x-ray films or CT scans.

Most SPNs are benign (noncancerous); however, they may represent an early stage of primary lung cancer or may indicate that cancer is metastasizing (spreading) from another part of the body to the affected lung.

Determining whether the SPN seen on the chest x-ray film or chest CT scan is benign or malignant (cancerous) is important. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of early lung cancer that presents as SPN may be the only chance to cure the cancer.