Benign Lung Nodules and Tumors : Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

A nodule is a “spot on the lung,” seen on an X-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan. In fact, a nodule shows up on about one in every 500 chest X-rays. Normal lung tissue surrounds this small round or oval solid overgrowth of tissue. It may be a single or solitary pulmonary nodule. Or, you may have multiple nodules.

Your lung nodule is more likely to be benign if:

You are younger than age 40.
You are a nonsmoker.
There is calcium in the nodule.
The nodule is small.

A benign lung tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue that serves no purpose and is found not to be cancerous. Benign lung tumors may grow from many different structures in the lung.

Causes:

Inflammation from infections such as:

An infectious fungus (histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, cryptococcosis, or aspergillosis, for example)

Tuberculosis (TB)
A lung abscess
Round pneumonia (rare in adults)

Inflammation from noninfectious causes such as:

Rheumatoid arthritis
Wegener granulomatosis
Sarcoidosis

Symptoms:

Wheezing
Coughing that lasts or coughing up blood
Shortness of breath
Fever, especially if pneumonia is present

Benign lung nodules and tumors usually cause no symptoms. This is why they are almost always found accidentally on a chest X-ray or CT scan. However, they may lead to symptoms like these

These are some of the more common types of benign lung tumors:

Hamartomas are the most common type of benign lung tumor and the third most common cause of solitary pulmonary nodules. These firm marble-like tumors are made up of tissue from the lung’s lining as well as tissue such as fat and cartilage. They are usually located in the periphery of the lung.
Bronchial adenomas make up about half of all benign lung tumors. They are a diverse group of tumors that arise from mucous glands and ducts of the windpipe or large airways of the lung. A mucous gland adenoma is an example of a true benign bronchial adenoma.
Rare neoplasms may include chondromas, fibromas, or lipomas — benign tumors made up of connective tissue or fatty tissue.

Treatments:

In many cases, your doctor may simply observe a suspicious lung nodule with multiple chest X-rays over several years. However, your doctor may suggest a biopsy or removal of an entire nodule in situations like these:

You are a smoker and the nodule is large.
You have symptoms.
A scan suggests the nodule might be cancerous.
The nodule has grown.

Surgery can often be done with small incisions and a short hospital stay. If your nodule is benign, you will not need any further treatment, except to manage any underlying problems or complications related to the nodule such as pneumonia or an obstruction.

If you need invasive surgery to remove a tumor, your doctor may recommend one or more tests beforehand to ensure your health. These might include blood tests or kidney, liver, or pulmonary (lung) function tests.

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