What Does Lobulation in Lung Nodules Mean?

What Does Pulmonary Nodule Lobulation Mean?

1. Pulmonary nodule lobulation is a result of a chest CT scan, indicating that the pulmonary nodule may be malignant, but a definitive diagnosis has not been made yet.

2. A chest CT scan showing a lobulated appearance of the lungs usually indicates uneven density of the pulmonary nodule, which may be an imaging change primarily associated with lung malignancy, i.e., lung cancer. However, it is only a suspected case with inaccurate judgment and cannot be used as a basis for lung cancer treatment, as lobulated pulmonary nodules do not necessarily indicate cancer.

3. If the lobulated appearance of the lungs is related to malignancy, imaging examinations will also show unclear and blurred nodule boundaries, with the nodule shape possibly being round, oval, or irregular. In such cases, further examinations should be conducted to rule out malignant lesions, including mediastinoscopy, thoracoscopy, cytology, histology, and genetic testing.

4. The discovery of lobulated pulmonary nodules does not necessarily mean cancer, so it is important not to worry excessively and to follow up regularly with a doctor. Once the cause is identified, prompt treatment should be initiated to avoid delays that could worsen the condition. Patients with lung cancer should also undergo radical surgery as soon as possible to maximize survival time.