A pulmonary nodule is defined as a nodule that is solitary, well-defined, less than or equal to 3 cm in diameter, and surrounded by air-containing lung tissue. Pulmonary nodules with a diameter of more than 3 cm are classified as pulmonary masses. Both pulmonary nodules and pulmonary masses are classified as benign or malignant. In general, the probability of malignancy in isolated lung nodules is about 20-40%, and the probability of malignancy increases significantly with age. However, if a lung nodule is malignant, early diagnosis of the nature of the nodule and early surgical excision can lead to complete clinical cure and long-term survival as in normal people. What is the nature of common lung nodules? The nature of lung nodules can be divided into two main categories: benign lung nodules and malignant lung nodules. Small lung nodules: those less than 1.5cm in diameter can be called small lung nodules; Malignant nodules: half of the nodules over 2cm are malignant. Benign nodules: most of the small nodules less than 1 cm are benign. If an isolated lung nodule is malignant, it is usually a lung cancer, in addition to being a carcinoid tumor. Most benign lung nodules are tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, malignant tumors or lung abscesses. Other diseases such as pulmonary atelectasis and extrathoracic lipomas can also form pulmonary nodules. What is the greatest danger of pulmonary nodules? The most important thing is to diagnose whether the lung nodule is benign or malignant at an early stage. If it is malignant, it should be diagnosed as early as possible and surgically removed as soon as possible. Clinical treatment process of lung nodules with lung cancer risk factors: (for reference only, patients with lung nodules should consult a thoracic surgeon for professional treatment) How to confirm whether a lung nodule is lung cancer? 1.Pulmonary puncture examination CT-guided percutaneous lung puncture biopsy is an important method to confirm the benign and malignant nature of lung nodules and lung masses in clinical practice. It has extraordinary diagnostic value in determining the nature of lung nodules. 2, electromagnetic navigation system CT-guided percutaneous puncture lung biopsy Under the electromagnetic navigation system can accurately locate the puncture site, reduce the number of punctures, shorten the puncture time, and reduce the CT radiation dose. This enables precise localization of the lesion and acquisition of pathology, but this new technique is not yet widely performed. 3.Fiber bronchoscopy Can most intuitively understand the patient’s airway condition, and give biopsy, puncture biopsy, etc. for the condition found, for the discovery of lung shadows for obtaining pathological diagnosis. 4.Ultrasound bronchoscopy (EUBS) can puncture and biopsy lung nodules or lymph nodes with a diameter of more than 1cm, and its guided lymph node biopsy (EBUS-TBNA) provides a more accurate basis for the staging of lung cancer. 5.Thoracoscopy can be used both as an examination means and a treatment means, and the accuracy of diagnosis is almost 100%. Patients not only get a clear pathological diagnosis, but also can have the nodules removed through thoracoscopy. The final diagnosis of lung nodules is confirmed by pathological examination as the gold standard, i.e. taking biopsy of lung nodules. How are pulmonary nodules treated? 1. Observation Regular review, initially at intervals of 3-6 months. If the lesion remains unchanged, it can be extended to 6-12 months at a time for long-term observation. If the lesion tends to increase in size during the course of observation, it should be surgically removed. 2, surgical resection In larger medical centers are removed through minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery, intraoperative rapid frozen section examination to clarify the nature of the nodule, if malignant, then immediately radical resection and clearance of lymph nodes, so patients with lung nodules should go to large medical centers, not only can receive minimally invasive surgery, but also intraoperative rapid examination to clarify the benign and malignant to guide the surgical plan. Therefore, when small shadows or nodules in the lungs are found on physical examination, a professional thoracic surgeon should be actively consulted to receive formal further examination and timely surgical treatment. What is the prognosis for minimally invasive lung nodule surgery? If the lung nodule is pathologically confirmed to be benign, complete clinical cure can be achieved after minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery to remove the nodule. Even if the lung nodule is an early stage lung cancer, the 5-year survival rate of minimally invasive surgical resection is over 80%.