When an imaging scan of the chest reveals “spots on your lungs,” healthcare providers typically refer to these as lung nodules or lung lesions. These small, distinct areas appear as round or oval shapes on X-rays or CT scans. While concerning, these spots are common and often benign. Further investigation is usually recommended to determine their nature.
Non-Cancerous Reasons for Lung Spots
Many lung spots are benign, often representing the body’s response to past events or harmless growths. One common type is a granuloma, which forms as a collection of immune cells. These typically develop in response to a healed infection, such as exposure to certain fungal spores or remnants from a past tuberculosis infection. Granulomas are generally inactive and may show calcification, indicating a long-resolved issue.
Previous inflammation or injury within the lung can also result in visible spots. Conditions like pneumonia or pleurisy may leave behind small areas of scar tissue. These healed areas appear as distinct spots on imaging, signifying a resolved inflammatory process rather than an active disease.
Benign tumors, such as hamartomas, represent another non-cancerous cause. These growths are composed of disorganized normal lung tissue components. Hamartomas typically remain asymptomatic and do not spread. Vascular malformations, abnormalities in lung blood vessels, can also present as distinct spots.
Infections That Cause Lung Spots
Infections, both active and resolved, frequently cause lung spots. Tuberculosis (TB) can manifest as tuberculomas, which are walled-off collections of infected tissue. These nodules may indicate an active TB infection requiring treatment, or they may represent remnants of a previously healed infection. Distinguishing between active and inactive disease is important for management.
Fungal infections, particularly endemic types like histoplasmosis or coccidioidomycosis, are common causes of lung nodules in specific geographic regions. These infections can result in active lesions or leave behind residual nodules after clearing. The appearance and progression of these spots help determine if an active infection is present.
Some bacterial pneumonias can leave behind small, persistent nodules or areas of consolidation as the lung heals. These post-inflammatory changes are often temporary and resolve over time. Parasitic infections can also form fluid-filled cysts within the lungs that appear as distinct spots on imaging.
Cancer-Related Lung Spots
While most lung spots are not cancerous, a new or growing nodule can sometimes be an early indicator of primary lung cancer. Suspicious characteristics on imaging include larger size, rapid growth, an irregular or spiky (spiculated) shape, and certain internal features. These findings prompt closer evaluation to differentiate between benign and malignant growths.
Lung spots can also represent metastatic cancer, meaning cancer cells that have traveled to the lungs from a primary tumor site elsewhere in the body. Cancers originating in organs such as the breast, colon, or kidney commonly spread to the lungs, appearing as one or multiple nodules. The presence of known cancer elsewhere influences the suspicion level for new lung spots.
Some lung spots may represent pre-malignant lesions, which are areas of atypical cell growth with the potential to develop into cancer over time. These lesions often require careful monitoring for changes in size or characteristics. Healthcare providers assess various factors, including the spot’s appearance and the patient’s medical history, to determine the likelihood of a cancerous or pre-cancerous condition.
Understanding What Happens Next
After a lung spot is identified, the next step involves a consultation with a healthcare provider, often a primary care physician or a pulmonologist. This discussion allows the doctor to review the imaging findings in the context of the patient’s overall health and medical history, considering factors such as smoking history, age, and any previous cancer diagnoses.
Follow-up imaging, most commonly repeat CT scans, is a frequent recommendation to monitor the lung spot over time. This approach helps determine if the spot is growing, changing shape, or remaining stable. The interval between scans varies based on the spot’s initial characteristics and the patient’s risk factors.
If the lung spot appears suspicious, further diagnostic tests might be recommended. These could include a PET scan, which helps distinguish between metabolically active (potentially cancerous) and inactive tissues. In some cases, a biopsy may be performed, involving the collection of a small tissue sample from the spot for microscopic examination. The specific course of action is tailored to each individual’s circumstances and the particular features of their lung spot.