If you find a pulmonary nodule, it is best not to panic, and do not equate pulmonary nodules with lung cancer. The doctor will classify pulmonary nodules into low-risk, intermediate-risk and high-risk according to the past medical history, smoking history, combined with the nodule size, location, shape, nodule density, number of nodules, vascular conditions around the nodules and other factors. nodules.
High-risk nodules are: 1. Solid nodules larger than 15mm in diameter; 2. Pulmonary nodules located in the upper lobe of the lung; 3. 8-15mm in diameter with lobulation, burr, pleura Nodules with signs of malignant tumors such as traction sign, bronchial interruption, vacuole sign, vesicle sign, and eccentric thick-walled cavity; 4. There are solid components in ground glass nodules. The highest probability, mixed ground-glass nodules greater than 8 mm are high-risk nodules. High-risk nodules need to be reviewed every 3 months for follow-up to observe their growth characteristics. If nodules are found to grow, immediate surgery is required. If there is no change, long-term semi-annual CT review is recommended. Larger nodules can be identified by lung biopsy.
Intermediate-risk nodules are 1. Solid nodules with a diameter of 6mm-15mm and no obvious malignant CT signs; 2. Partial solid nodules with a diameter of ≤8mm are intermediate-risk nodules 3. Pure ground-glass nodules with a diameter of >6 mm are considered intermediate-risk nodules. For intermediate-risk nodules, continuous CT follow-up is recommended for 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months. The nodules have growth characteristics, and surgery is recommended. If there is no change or shrinkage, long-term CT follow-up is recommended, and the follow-up time is not less than 3 years.
Low-risk nodules are 1. Solid nodules with diameter ≤5mm; 2. Pure ground-glass nodules with diameter ≤5mm are low-risk nodules. Low-risk nodules can be reviewed annually with chest CT at the normal frequency of physical examinations.
