A lung nodule is a small spot or lump in the lung.

• It is usually less than 3 cm (less than the size of a grape). Most are much smaller.
• It shows up on a chest X-ray or CT scan.
• “Incidental” means the nodule was found by accident—you didn’t have any symptoms and weren’t looking for it.

• “Nodule” is NOT a scary word. It does NOT mean “cancer.”
• You could x-ray 100 random people and many would have lung nodules. But they are not cause for concern.

No.

Most lung nodules are NOT cancer.

They are usually caused by:

• Old infections
• Scars
• Inflammation

Doctors find lung nodules in millions of people, and almost all of them are harmless.

Even though most nodules are harmless, doctors like to be extra careful.

That’s why we do:

• Repeat CT scans every few months or years.
• We check to see if the nodule stays the same or starts to grow.
• If it stays the same = ✅ Great news. No worries.
• If it changes = 🩺 We may do more tests to check it out.

Your doctor will recommend a plan based on the size and appearance of the nodule:

Nodule Size	What Happens
Very small	Often no follow-up needed
Medium	Repeat CT scan in 6–12 months
Larger	More frequent scans or other tests

• Don’t panic. A “nodule” is just a word for a small spot.
• Keep follow-up appointments. That’s the best way to stay safe.

• Most incidental lung nodules are not dangerous.
• They are simply something your doctor will keep an eye on—just to be sure.
• This is all about being thorough, safe, and proactive.