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Lung Cancer

RIGHT SUB CARINAL LYMPH NODE 18x9 mm found.

11/17/2008

Question:

i had a recent CAT scan and they found an enlarged right subcarinal lymph node measuring 18X9 mm. What does this mean?

Answer:

Lymph nodes are glands in the body that get swollen with some disease conditions. In the chest, subcarinal node is one of them. Infection, spread of tumor, lymphoma and some other benign conditions like sarcoidosis can cause them to enlarge. It can be from pneumonia or fungal infection as well. Anyway, whenever we see these nodes on CT scan, we always worry about the worst possible disease- cancer. Based on your risk factors, age, current clinical condition, your physician can determine whether there is a need to biopsy the node. Nowadays, most centers have the technology to get tissue from these nodes with a small needle (no bigger than the IV needle) during a procedure known as bronchoscopy (where a tube with a camera is inserted through your mouth or nose into the windpipe).

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Response by:

Shaheen Islam, MD, MPH Shaheen Islam, MD, MPH
Clinical Associate Professor
Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care & Sleep
Hematology
College of Medicine
The Ohio State University