A 65-Year-Old Man Is Found to Have a Lung Nodule

A 65-year-old man is found to have a lung nodule on chest x-ray performed for evaluation of a dry cough.  The cough has since resolved, and he has no other symptoms.  The patient has a 30-pack-year smoking history but quit 2 years ago.  He has no family history of cancer.  CT scan of the chest reveals a 2-cm, peripheral, round lesion in the right lower lung lobe that is surrounded by lung parenchyma.  The borders are irregular and no calcification is present.  There are no other lung lesions or enlarged lymph nodes.  Which of the following is the best next step in management of this patient's lung lesion?

A) Check tuberculin skin testing
B) Obtain sputum for cytology
C) Reassure with no additional intervention
D) Recommend surgical excision
E) Repeat CT scan of the chest in 3 months

Correct Answer:

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