Lung nodules, also medically referred to as pulmonary nodules are miniature, roundish growth that come up on the lung, that is usually about three centimeter or less in diameter. Lung nodules can be cancerous or can be caused by other serious diseases. Cancerous nodules are usually marked by quick growth that quickly become masses. Approximately four out of six pulmonary nodule cases turn out to be cancerous, so most lung nodules are treated as cancerous until it can be diagnosed as otherwise. A lung nodule that is cancerous can normally double in size as quickly as every 25 days. The largest numbers of occurring lung nodules cases are considered as 'benign' which means it has very little growth.
Lung nodules may be caused by a number of reasons, the most popular of which is lung cancer as well as it can also be the primary stage leading up to lung cancer. It can also be developed as a result of the metastasis of other forms of cancers. Long nodules can also occur due to other small tumor growths in the body such as carcinoid, lymphoma, blastoma, hamartoma, sarcoma, firbroma and neurofibroma. Lymphoma is a type of cancer that forms within the cells of the lymphoid system. Blastoma is a tumor that develops from the embryonic cells. Hamartoma is due to a disorganization of a mixture of cells in the body. Sarcoma is a group of tumors that arise from connective cells. Fibroma and Neurofibroma are non cancerous tumors that form from nerve fibers.
Risk of lung nodules also increase when exposed to Infections from bacterias like tuberculosis, immune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and fungus like cryptococcosis and histoplasmosis can also cause lung nodules. Tuberculosis spreads from person to person contact or breathing in the tuberculosis germ. Most fungus like crptococcosis thrive in soil and materials infected by bird or bat droppings. Infection of fungus can also become airborne when the contaminated area is troubled. Particularly persons who farm, do gardening ,construction jobs, cave divers or any other task which requires exposure to certain bacteria automatically increase their risk to be infected with fungus.
Other serious illnesses that cause lung nodules include infections such as lung abscess, Hydatid cyst and pneumonia. An abscess is a collection of pus that form in response to an infection. It usually becomes visible as a swollen area and the pain can be excruciating. The skin around it normally becomes red or pink. Hydatid cyst are abnormal sac-like formation that can be found anywhere in the body and can hold fluid or gaseous substances with an outer wall called a capsule. Pneumonia is developed as a result of an inflammation of one or both lungs together. Pneumonia can result from either an infection as well as it can be otherwise and the infection may be viral, fungal, bacterial or parasitic. Most of these infections are treatable with drugs and the patient can make a full recovery.
Lung nodules are normally diagnosed by physical examinations, chest x-rays and computed tomography.
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