Information: After Abnormal Lung Cancer Screening Result

After an abnormal lung cancer CT scan, your doctor will refer you to a specialist for further evaluation, which may include more tests like a PET scan, biopsy, or different imaging. The specific next steps depend on the size, shape, and location of the suspicious area, as well as other factors like your symptoms and health history. Options can range from continued surveillance with more frequent CT scans to more invasive diagnostic procedures

Initial steps

  • Meet with a specialist: You will be referred to a pulmonary or thoracic specialist to discuss your results and next steps.
  • Discuss your results: The specialist will explain the findings and the plan for further investigation. It can be helpful to bring a family member or write down your questions beforehand.

 

Further diagnostic tests

  • Additional imaging: Depending on the findings, more scans might be ordered.
    • PET scan: This scan can help determine if a nodule is cancerous or benign by highlighting metabolic activity.
    • Diagnostic CT scan: A follow-up CT scan, sometimes with contrast, may be performed.

 

  • Biopsy: If the nodule is suspicious, a biopsy may be necessary to collect a tissue sample for examination. This can be done through:
    • CT-guided biopsy: A needle is guided by CT to the suspicious spot.
    • Bronchoscopy: A thin, flexible tube is used to visualize the airways and collect tissue samples.
    • Thoracoscopy: A minor surgical procedure where a doctor uses a tube to look inside the chest cavity and take samples.

 

Surveillance

  • Active monitoring: For some findings, the best course may be to monitor the nodule over time. This involves scheduling follow-up CT scans to see if the nodule grows or changes. The frequency of these scans depends on the nodule’s characteristics.

The information is adapted from National Comprehensive Cancer Network. (2026). NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Lung Cancer Screning and Diagnosis (Version 1.2026). Available at https://www.nccn.org/text generated by Gemini.» Gemini, Google, 19 Nov 2025 and from OpenAI on 11/19/2025 using “after abnormal lung cancer screening result in plain language”

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