Solitary Pulmonary Nodule Treatment

Based on the results of exams and tests, persons with SPN can be divided into the following 3 groups:

• Persons with benign SPN: Persons who have been diagnosed with benign SPN should undergo chest x-ray films or CT scans every 3-4 months in the first year, every 6 months in the second year, and once every year for up to 5 years. Determining that the SPN is benign is based on the following:
  
  
  • Persons younger than 35 years without other risk factors
  
  
  
  • Benign appearance on chest x-ray film
  
  
  
  • Stability of the SPN over a period of 2 years on chest x-ray film

• Persons with a malignant SPN: Persons who have been diagnosed with a malignant SPN based on the results of the exams and tests should have the nodule surgically removed.



• Persons with SPN that cannot be classified as either benign or malignant: Most persons fall into this category. However, as many as 75% of these patients have malignant nodules on further evaluation. Therefore, such persons are also advised surgical removal.