
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions ā written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Pulmonary nodule Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Introduction
Overview
Overview
If left untreated, 2% of patients with pulmonary nodule <8mm and >2% of patients with pulmonary nodule >8mm may progress to develop lung cancer.
Common complications of pulmonary nodule post invasive management include hemorrhage, [[pulmonary embolism], infections (empyema, pneumonia, surgical site), pleural effusions, pneumothorax, myocardial infarction and central neurological event
Prognosis is generally excellent which is dependent primarily on the characteristics of the pulmonary nodule. Pulmonary nodules are most commonly benign and may not necessarily require treatment. Those with multiple risk factors and malignant features on imaging studies have a poorer prognosis.
Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis
Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis
Natural History
- The symptoms of pulmonary nodule usually develop in the third decade of life.
- A majority of pulmonary nodules are found incidentally. When symptomatic, patients display non-specific symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, hemoptysis, chronic cough, wheezing, and chest pain.
- If left untreated, 2% of patients with pulmonary nodule <8mm and >2% of patients with pulmonary nodule >8mm may progress to develop lung cancer.[1][2]
Complications
- Common complications of pulmonary nodule post invasive management include:[3][4]
- Hemorrhage
- Pulmonary embolism
- Infections (empyema, pneumonia, surgical site)
- Pleural effusions
- Pneumothorax
- Myocardial infarction
- Central neurological event
Prognosis
- Prognosis is generally excellent which is dependent primarily on the characteristics of the pulmonary nodule.
- Pulmonary nodules are most commonly benign and may not necessarily require treatment.
- Those with multiple risk factors and malignant features on imaging studies have a poorer prognosis.[3][5]
references
references
- ā Loverdos K, Fotiadis A, Kontogianni C, Iliopoulou M, Gaga M (2019). “Lung nodules: A comprehensive review on current approach and management”. Ann Thorac Med. 14 (4): 226ā238. doi:10.4103/atm.ATM_110_19. PMCĀ 6784443 Check
|pmc=value (help). PMIDĀ 31620206. - ā Gould MK, Donington J, Lynch WR, Mazzone PJ, Midthun DE, Naidich DP; et al. (2013). “Evaluation of individuals with pulmonary nodules: when is it lung cancer? Diagnosis and management of lung cancer, 3rd ed: American College of Chest Physicians evidence-based clinical practice guidelines”. Chest. 143 (5 Suppl): e93Sāe120S. doi:10.1378/chest.12-2351. PMCĀ 3749714. PMIDĀ 23649456.
- ā 3.0 3.1 “StatPearls”. 2020. PMIDĀ 32310603 Check
|pmid=value (help). - ā Brown LM, Thibault DP, Kosinski AS, Cooke DT, Onaitis MW, Gaissert HA; et al. (2019). “Readmission after Lobectomy for Lung Cancer: Not All Complications Contribute Equally”. Ann Surg. doi:10.1097/SLA.0000000000003561. PMIDĀ 31469745.
- ā Cruickshank A, Stieler G, Ameer F (2019). “Evaluation of the solitary pulmonary nodule”. Intern Med J. 49 (3): 306ā315. doi:10.1111/imj.14219. PMIDĀ 30897667.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Joanna Ekabua, M.D. [2]
