GROSSE POINTE (WWJ) — Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe has opened a new lung nodule clinic to provide early diagnosis and treatment of abnormal pulmonary nodules. Pulmonary nodules are a round or oval-shaped growth in the lung, sometimes referred to as a coin lesion or “spot” on the lung.
Approximately 150,000 lung nodule cases are detected every year through a chest X-ray or CT scan that was taken for other medical reasons. Those with lung nodules do not experience symptoms. Causes of lung nodules include exposure to a fungus commonly found in the soil in the Midwest, as well as other fungal infections; tuberculosis; rheumatoid arthritis; sarcoidosis, an inflammation that affects multiple organs, most commonly the lung and lymph nodes; and lung cancer. Previous and current smokers, people with a history of cancer and chronic obstructive lung disease are at a higher risk of lung nodules. Lung nodules can also be congenital.
“Most pulmonary nodules must grow to at least the size of an average pea to be seen on a chest X-ray,” says Donna Hoban, M.D., physician-in-chief, Beaumont, Grosse Pointe. “The smaller they are and the earlier they are found and treated, the more favorable the outcome.”
The new clinic specializes in diagnosis and treatment of lung nodules smaller than 1 centimeter, about the size of a pea. Lung nodules are usually noncancerous, but they may be an early stage of primary lung cancer or they may indicate that cancer is spreading from another part of the body. Lung cancer screening trials show the larger the nodule, the more likelihood it is malignant. Nodules less than 3 millimeters have a 0.2 percent likelihood of being cancerous and nodules greater than 20 millimeters have a 50 percent likelihood of cancer.
A CT scan, which can detect a lung nodule smaller than 1 centimeter, is performed for high-risk individuals. Results of the CT scan and the patient’s medical history are promptly reviewed by a nurse navigator and physician before a consultation with a pulmonary specialist is scheduled. The Beaumont Lung Nodule Clinic’s multidisciplinary team, including thoracic surgeons, pulmonologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine specialists, radiologists and pathologists, jointly review the findings to recommend a plan of care. All testing and follow-up appointments are scheduled through the clinic. A nurse navigator is available to answer questions, facilitate the patient’s care and keep the patient’s primary care physician updated.
A physician referral is not required, unless it is specified by the patient’s insurance provider. For more information or to schedule a consultation appointment, call the Beaumont Lung Nodule Clinic at 877-80-LUNGS or 877-805-8647.
The Beaumont Cancer Center in Royal Oak also has a Lung Nodule Clinic.
Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe is a 250-bed hospital located in the heart of Grosse Pointe. Opened in 1945 by the Sisters of Bon Secours, it was acquired by Beaumont Health System in October 2007, making Beaumont a three-hospital regional health care provider. Beaumont, Grosse Pointe offers medical, surgical, emergency, obstetric, pediatric and critical care services. In March 2012, the Cotton Family Birth Center at Beaumont, Grosse Pointe was designated as Michigan’s only Baby-Friendly® birth center by Baby-Friendly USA. Beaumont, Grosse Pointe is recognized as “high performing” in six medical specialties for 2012-13 by U.S. News & World Report. Visit Beaumont’s website at www.beaumont.edu.