Lung Nodule Clinic

The Lung Nodule Clinic at Overlake Medical Center & Clinics is home to an expert team, dedicated to providing clear answers, personalized guidance, and compassionate, leading-edge care.

Learning that you or someone you love has a lung nodule – a small spot or growth in the lung – can feel worrisome and overwhelming. It’s natural to want answers as soon as possible.

At the Lung Nodule Clinic at Overlake Medical Center & Clinics, our specialists work efficiently to carefully review your test results and outline next steps, so you can move forward with confidence and peace of mind.

Types of Lung Nodules

Most lung nodules are benign (not cancer). But it’s always important to take a closer look at any spots on the lungs to be sure they’re not cancer.

Lung nodules can develop for many reasons, including:

Lung scarring. Infections (including pneumonia and valley fever) or inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can leave lung nodules or scars.
Arterial venous malformations. These are growths in the lungs that some people are born with.
A blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism).
Lung cancer.

Lung Nodule Clinic Treatments and Services

People are often referred to our expert team when a lung nodule is found on a lung cancer screening or an imaging test they had for another reason.

Our care includes:

Counseling for lung problems: Some people are hesitant to get follow up care after learning they have a lung nodule. Our team has experts on staff who can help ease fears and answer any questions.
Comprehensive diagnostics: A nurse practitioner or pulmonary specialist will review your imaging closely, and discuss whether you need further testing or follow up screenings. Sometimes, our specialists determine the nodule is a scar from a past illness and no follow up is needed.
Biopsy: If imaging suggests the lung nodule could be cancerous, your doctor will recommend a biopsy. A biopsy is taking a sample of the nodule to send to the lab to determine if it's cancerous. When a lung nodule is cancerous, our leading pulmonologists will work together to determine the best plan for you through Overlake’s Lung Cancer Program. When lung cancer is identified as a small nodule, it is often very treatable with surgery or high intensity radiation therapy (Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy).
Ongoing monitoring: If the lung nodule shows no signs of cancer on imaging or after a biopsy, our care team will talk to you about necessary follow up care. This may include making sure the nodule does not grow or become cancerous in the future.

Expert and Prompt Lung Nodule Care

The Lung Nodule Clinic was designed to give people a clear place to turn after learning they have a lung nodule – with timely answers and guidance at every step. We work to schedule appointments within 1-2 weeks, so you’re not left waiting for next steps.

Our team of pulmonary specialists has deep experience reviewing imaging to determine when a nodule is benign and when it may be an early sign of cancer.

Advanced Technology for a Precise Diagnosis

Depending on the size and location of your lung nodule, we’ll do one of two procedures to help make a precise diagnosis:

CT-guided biopsy is used when a nodule is located in the outer third of the lung. This procedure uses detailed images to guide a needle through the chest wall to the lung nodule, allowing doctors to safely collect a small tissue sample.
Robotic bronchoscopy is used for nodules in the inner two-thirds of the lung. This leading-edge technology works like a GPS system, helping doctors precisely locate small or hard-to-reach nodules. Robotic bronchoscopy can help support earlier diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer.

Personalized Monitoring and Follow-Up Care

Some lung nodules require follow-up monitoring to make sure they’re not growing or showing signs of cancer. The Lung Nodule Clinic makes that follow-up care easy, supportive and effective.

When you come to our clinic, you’ll:

Receive care guided by best practices and national screening guidelines.
Be supported by a compassionate care team who knows you and your medical history.
Receive appointment reminders to stay on track with scheduled follow-up imaging.
Get your questions and concerns answered at every step – because we’re always just a phone call away.

Learn more

If you’ve been told you have a lung nodule or are concerned about your lung health, the Lung Nodule Clinic is here to help. Call us with questions or to schedule an appointment: 425.454.2671