Can my 9 mm lung nodule on PET mean cancer?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 35 and recently found a small lung nodule during a routine CT done for another issue. The report says a 9 mm suspicious lesion, and the doctor advised a PET scan. I am very worried because lung cancer is in my family, though I never smoked.

If the PET scan shows activity, does that always mean cancer?
Or can infections also cause a similar finding?
The doctor mentioned a possible biopsy depending on the scan results. Is a biopsy the only way to confirm a lung cancer diagnosis, or are blood tests also available now?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your query and understand your concern.

I understand why this finding is worrying, especially when a report (attachments were removed to protect the patient's identity), mentions a suspicious nodule (a growth of abnormal tissue). Small lung nodules like the one you described are actually quite common on CT (computed tomography) scans, and many turn out to be non-cancerous.

If a PET (positron emission tomography) scan shows activity in the nodule, it does not automatically mean cancer.

PET scans detect areas with higher metabolic activity, and infections or inflammatory conditions such as tuberculosis (a bacterial infection that usually affects your lungs) or fungal infections can also show similar uptake. So PET helps assess the nodule, but cannot confirm cancer on its own.

To confirm whether it is cancer or not, doctors usually need a biopsy (a procedure to remove a piece of tissue or a sample of cells from your body so that it can be tested in a laboratory), where a small tissue sample is taken and examined under the microscope. This remains the most reliable way to make a definite diagnosis.

At present, blood tests cannot confirm lung cancer. Some research tests exist, but they are not used in routine practice for diagnosis. The decision about biopsy will depend on the PET scan result and the CT appearance of the nodule.

Please follow up on any other concerns.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.