Lung nodules: What to know

You have a CT scan of your chest. A spot is found on your lung. It sounds alarming, but it turns out that spots on the lungs — called pulmonary nodules or lung nodules — are quite common. They’re found in up to half of adults who get a chest CT scan, and they aren’t usually an indication of cancer.

One study estimated that when nodules are found on imaging tests taken for a purpose other than lung cancer screening, only 5% turn out to be cancerous.

Still, learning that you have something in your lung can be worrisome. Even when cancer has been ruled out, it’s important to stick to a recommended follow-up schedule.