What happens after a CT scan finds a lung nodule?
November 6, 2026
By: Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare
Categories: Cancer, Healthy Living
Tags: Lung Nodule, Lung Cancer
Learning that a scan found a spot on your lung can be unsettling. Your first question may be: “Is it cancer?”
Most lung nodules are not cancer. Some need only monitoring, while others require additional testing. Your provider will consider the nodule’s appearance and your health history to determine what comes next.
Here’s what to expect and what to ask as you work with your care team.
What is a lung nodule?
A lung nodule, also called a pulmonary nodule, is a small spot that appears on a lung imaging test. Some nodules develop from past infections, inflammation or scar tissue. Others need further evaluation to determine their cause.
A nodule may be found during lung cancer screening or on a scan performed for another reason. Finding one does not automatically mean you need cancer treatment or a biopsy.
If you're a past smoker who has not been screened and want to understand your eligibility, learn who should be screened for lung cancer.
What happens after a lung nodule is found?
Your provider reviews the images and your medical history to determine the next step. Factors include:
- The nodule’s size, shape and appearance
- Whether it has changed since an earlier scan
- Your age and smoking history
- Your personal and family history of cancer
Older scans can help your care team understand whether the finding is new. If you have had past chest imaging, let your provider know so those images can be requested for comparison.
Depending on the findings, your provider may recommend monitoring the nodule, additional testing or an appointment with a pulmonologist, a physician who specializes in lung conditions. Some nodules may not need further testing.
Why might your provider recommend another scan?
A follow-up CT scan allows your team to check whether a nodule has grown or changed. The timing depends on its features and your individual risk.
Waiting can be difficult, especially when you want an answer right away. Monitoring helps your team identify changes while avoiding unnecessary procedures. If your physician recommends another scan, ask when your next scan should happen and who will schedule it. Keep the recommended follow-up appointments, even if you feel well.
When is additional testing needed?
If a nodule grows or has concerning features, your care team may recommend further evaluation. This could include additional imaging tests, such as a PET scan, a bronchoscopy procedure or a biopsy to collect a small tissue sample for laboratory testing.
The National Cancer Institute explains how imaging tests and biopsies help diagnose cancer. Your provider will discuss which tests may be appropriate for you and explain their benefits and risks.
At Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH), physicians may use the MONARCH robotic bronchoscopy platform to reach small or hard-to-reach areas of the lungs and collect tissue samples. This is one option for evaluating certain nodules. Not everyone with a lung nodule will need a bronchoscopy procedure.
How does TMH help coordinate your care?
If you need further evaluation, TMH Physician Partners’ pulmonary specialists work with other physicians to help determine your next steps.
For patients with suspected or diagnosed lung cancer, the Tallahassee Memorial Thoracic Oncology Clinic brings specialists together to review potential lung cancer cases and develop an individualized care plan that may include chemotherapy, radiation and other treatments. Patients have the opportunity to meet with their care team at one appointment, at one location to discuss the proposed plan and ask questions.
The Tallahassee Memorial Cancer Center is home to TMH Physician Partners – Cancer & Hematology and TMH Physician Partners – Radiation Oncology, meaning your treatment would mostly be all under one roof.
If you receive care at the Tallahassee Memorial Cancer Center, a thoracic oncology navigator helps coordinate appointments, testing and procedures – so you can focus on your treatment, not scheduling your care.
What should you ask your provider?
Before your next appointment, write down your questions. You may want to ask:
- What does my scan show?
- Has the nodule changed since an earlier scan?
- Do I need another scan or additional testing?
- When should I follow up, and who will arrange it?
- How will I receive my results?
A lung nodule finding can bring uncertainty, but you do not have to interpret the results on your own. Start with the provider who ordered your scan and make sure you understand your follow-up plan.
