27 Devastating Infectious Diseases

What To Know About The Sizes Of Lung Nodules

Lung nodules are small growths in your lungs, less than 30 millimeters in diameter. Many nodules aren't cancerous, but the risk becomes higher with increased size.

A lung nodule is an irregular growth in your lungs that has a diameter of less than 30 millimeters (mm), or 1.2 inches.

Lung nodules are very common and are estimated to occur in 2% to 24% of the general population. Doctors often discover them on chest X-rays or CT scans for unrelated conditions.

Most lung nodules aren't cancerous. Possible noncancerous causes include:

Small nodules often don't require treatment. Doctors may recommend follow-ups or surgery for large nodules, especially if you are at a high risk of developing lung cancer.

This article reviews lung nodule sizes and recommended treatments.

Most nodules don't cause symptoms and don't need treatment. Larger nodules are more likely to be cancerous and require surgical removal.

The most common guidelines that doctors follow to determine how to treat a nodule are the Fleischner Society guidelines. The Fleischner Society is an international medical group dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of chest disease.

The Fleischner Society guidelines advise doctors on how to manage lung nodules based on factors such as:

nodule size

rate of nodule growth

tissue composition of the nodule

The guidelines don't apply to people who are younger than 35 years old or have a history of cancer or immunosuppression.

What's considered a small lung nodule?

Lung nodules are usually considered small if they're less than 10 mm in diameter. Nodules under 3 mm are considered micronodules.

Here's a look at the risk that small nodules will become cancerous:

What's considered a large lung nodule?

Large nodules are those more than 10 mm in diameter. The risk of nodules being cancerous increases as they become larger. By definition, a nodule is smaller than 30 mm.

If you're at low risk of developing lung cancer, a doctor will likely tell you that you don't need regular follow-ups for nodules smaller than 6 mm. Younger age and a lack of smoking are associated with low risk. A doctor may want to follow up with a CT scan if you're at high risk.

A doctor will likely want to monitor nodules that are 6 to 8 mm in diameter with one or more CT scans to see whether they grow over time.

For nodules larger than 8 mm, a doctor will likely want to follow up with some combination of:

The next step depends on:

the nodule's size

the number of nodules a doctor finds

the tissue features of the nodule

Depending on how nodules look on a CT scan, doctors classify them as either solid or subsolid. Subsolid nodules can be further classified as ground-glass or part-solid.

Here's a look at the Fleischner Society guidelines for each type.

Recommendations for a single solid nodule

Recommendations for multiple solid nodules

Recommendations for a single subsolid nodule

Recommendations for multiple subsolid nodules

A doctor may recommend a biopsy if repeat CT scans show that the nodule is getting bigger over time or has concerning features.

with a bronchoscope (a long tube that goes down your throat)

with a hollow needle through your chest wall with CT guidance

with surgery to remove the nodule and surrounding lung tissue

Risk factors for the development of cancerous lung nodules include:

You may be able to minimize your chances of developing lung nodules by quitting smoking if you currently smoke or by avoiding smoking if you don't. This can be difficult, but a doctor can create a cessation plan that works for you.

Minimizing your exposure to cancer-causing substances, such as uranium, and wearing proper safety equipment if you handle them may also lower your risk.

Lung nodules are small growths in your lungs, less than 30 mm in diameter. Most nodules are not cancerous, but the risk increases as they become larger.

A doctor may want to perform regular follow-ups for nodules larger than 6 mm or for smaller nodules if you have a high risk of lung cancer.

A doctor may recommend a biopsy or surgical removal of nodules that are growing or have concerning features.

Vets With Rare Lung Disease Could Get Benefits More Easily Under Proposed Changes, VA Says

Veterans with a rare lung disease could have an easier time collecting Department of Veterans Affairs disability benefits under proposed changes announced by the agency Wednesday.

The ailment, called constrictive bronchiolitis, or CB, is one of the burn pit-related illnesses covered under the PACT Act, the sweeping law passed two years ago that aimed to make it easier for veterans with certain diseases linked to toxic exposure to get VA care and benefits. But veterans with CB have reported still facing unique challenges to getting their benefits approved by the VA.

Now, the department is taking steps to remove the specific challenges veterans with CB face when applying for benefits.

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"These steps are part of our comprehensive efforts to make sure that all those we serve -- including veterans who live with CB and their survivors -- get the benefits they deserve," VA Secretary Denis McDonough wrote in a letter to Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester, D-Mont., released by the department Wednesday.

"Altogether, we are now delivering more care and more benefits to more veterans than ever before, but we will not rest until every veteran and survivor gets the care and benefits they deserve," McDonough added. "That is why today's proposed steps are so important, and that is why we will continue to do everything in our power to support veterans who live with CB and their survivors."

CB, also known as obliterative bronchiolitis or bronchiolitis obliterans, is the narrowing or obstruction of the lungs' smallest airways -- the bronchioles -- by scarring or fibrous tissue. The scarring prevents oxygen exchange between the lungs and the bloodstream, causing extreme fatigue.

Other symptoms include shortness of breath and unexplained wheezing or dry cough in the absence of a cold or allergies.

CB was one of the 23 ailments that the PACT Act classified as presumed to be linked to military service, meaning the burden is no longer on veterans to prove their illness was caused by military service in order to be approved for benefits.

But two specific issues have made it difficult for veterans with CB to collect benefits even after the PACT Act, veterans and experts recently told lawmakers in a roundtable to mark the anniversary of the bill.

First, CB is the only PACT Act respiratory illness that does not have its own diagnostic code in VA disability claims systems. That means the VA must enter a diagnostic code for a similar disease into the system, a practice it says allows the department to still award benefits but which veterans and advocates say fails to recognize the true effect of their condition. Second, it is difficult to diagnose CB, with the only current way to definitively diagnose it being a painful, invasive lung biopsy.

To address those hurdles, the VA is taking steps to add a diagnostic code specifically for CB. The department is also moving to allow two additional medical tests to evaluate those with CB that will "make it easier for veterans to obtain an accurate disability rating," according to McDonough's letter. The tests are maximum oxygen consumption and metabolic equivalents, which respectively measure oxygen and energy usage during exercise.

The changes announced Wednesday are not taking effect immediately. The department must first go through the federal rulemaking process, a sometimes lengthy undertaking that includes soliciting public comment. The proposed rule change will be published in the Federal Register on Thursday, according to a draft published on the agency's website Wednesday.

In April, Tester led 17 other senators in calling on the VA to make the changes similar to those announced Wednesday after a PBS NewsHour story highlighted the issue.

A Senate aide told Military.Com that, while not perfect, the VA's Wednesday announcement was a significant step forward and that Tester will monitor the implementation of the changes.

"Toxic-exposed veterans have waited decades to receive the benefits and health care the PACT Act provides, and it's critical VA is implementing the law the way veterans need and deserve," Tester said in an emailed statement Wednesday. "That means fixing outdated processes standing in the way of veterans and their newly expanded benefits. I'm glad to see the department answering my call to do this for veterans with constrictive bronchiolitis, and I'll keep holding VA accountable to roll out this law the way Congress intended."

Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect that constrictive bronchiolitis is the only PACT Act respiratory illness without a diagnostic code in VA disability systems and to clarify the effects of not having its own diagnostic code.

Related: Burn Pit Victims with Rare Lung Disease Struggle to Get VA Care and Benefits

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XEC Covid Variant: The Three Horrific Symptoms You Must Never Ignore - And Stay At Home

The new XEC Covid variant, first detected in Germany over the summer, is spreading rapidly - and medics say it is "just getting started" as they list multiple symptoms

A man struggles with a continuous cough (file image) (

Image: Getty Images)

Anyone who may experience a new, continuous cough, a loss of appetite or a blocked or runny nose in the coming weeks should stay at home and avoid contact with friends and family, medics say.

The measures will be precautionary steps to help prevent the spread of any infection, including the new variant of coronavirus. The new XEC Covid variant, first detected in Germany over the summer, is a combination of the KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 variants and is spreading rapidly. It has been identified in 15 countries.

Its symptoms include the cough, loss of appetite and a frequent runny nose so anyone displaying these must self-isolate, as was the guidance also in 2020 when the first outbreak of Covid happened. One of the first things then Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered was to avoid contact with friends and family.

And the NHS website even now states Brits should "try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you or your child have symptoms." The signs of the XEC Covid variant are similar to those of previous strains, including a group of variants which emerged in the spring and were known collectively as FLiRT.

The latest figures for the UK show a 4.3% increase in Covid cases week on week (

Image:

Getty Images)

It is standard procedure for anyone with symptoms of any respiratory infection to stay at home. However, concern for the new XEC Covid variant is high as medics say its spread is "just getting started". The latest figures for the UK show a 4.3% increase in Covid cases week on week. According to the NHS, its full list symptoms include;

a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)

a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours

a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

shortness of breath

feeling tired or exhausted

an aching body

a headache

a sore throat

a blocked or runny nose

loss of appetite

diarrhoea

feeling sick or being sick

The NHS stresses while it is important to take caution, any or a combination of the above symptoms may not necessarily mean you've got coronavirus. They may be signs of another infection or disease, or nothing relatively serious at all.

But self-isolating - again - will help stop the potential spread of Covid. It is an important measure to prevent others, especially the vulnerable, being struck down with the unpleasant variant.

Doctors also say Brits should keep up to date with vaccines and booster shots. Vaccines may not fully prevent infection but they remain the most effective protection against severe illness, hospitalisation and death.

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