How to treat pulmonary nodules

Pulmonary nodules refer to round or oval abnormal lesions in the lung with a diameter less than 3 centimeters. They may be caused by various factors, including inflammation, infection, benign tumors, or malignant tumors. Treatment methods depend on the size, shape, number, growth rate of the nodule, and the patient's overall health condition. 1. Observation and follow-up: For small nodules less than 5 millimeters in diameter, doctors usually choose close monitoring, performing chest CT scans every few months to assess any changes. If the nodule shows no significant growth, immediate treatment may not be necessary. 2. Medication therapy: If the nodule is caused by infection, such as tuberculosis or fungal infection, antibiotic or antifungal medications may be required. 3. Interventional treatment: In certain cases, doctors may recommend interventional procedures, such as percutaneous lung biopsy, to obtain tissue samples for pathological analysis and confirm the diagnosis. 4. Surgical removal: If the nodule is large, grows rapidly, or suspected to be malignant, surgical removal may be necessary, such as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) or open thoracotomy, to enable further diagnosis and treatment.