Causes of a Spot on the Lung
If a doctor discovers a spot on your lungs, your first reaction may be panic and concern. Though you may immediately associate this spot with lung cancer, there are actually many different reasons it could have occurred.
Cancer
Cancer is, of course, one possible explanation. However, according to the National Jewish Medical Research Center, this is only the case less than 40 percent of the time. If you are a smoker, its is more likely. Your doctor will complete the necessary test for a diagnosis and a treatment plan will be discussed.
Infection
A fungal infection can cause a nodule on the lung. According to Mary Pickett, M.D. (see References), you might not even notice the mild infection, but your body will create a barrier around it to contain the infection, creating the nodule.
Inflammation
Certain diseases that cause inflammation can also cause singular nodules on the lungs. Some examples of these diseases are rheumatoid arthritis and sarcoidosis.
Irritation
According to the National Jewish Medical and Research Center, a spot on the lung could also be caused by a previous injury. This could be anything from a car accident to a punch in the ribs. Previous bruising or scarring could leave some inflammation.
Benign Growths
It is not uncommon to have a benign growth of healthy lung cells appear as a spot on your lungs. This happens when normal lung cells grow, but don't have a pattern of organization that arranges them in their usual tubular shapes. They can't fill with air, so they just form a clump.
Prevention
If the spot on your lung is not cancerous, it should still be watched. Sometimes non-cancerous nodules can become cancerous. Frequent X-rays and scans can catch this in the earlier stages, resulting in a better chance at survival.
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