Evaluation of Lung Nodules/Masses

Pulmonary nodules are common in modern imaging. Most are not cancer, but they do require the right follow-up to determine risk and avoid unnecessary procedures.

About 1.6 million incidental lung nodules are found on chest CTs each year in the U.S. and show up on about 30% of CT scans.

At Texas IPS, our multidisciplinary team (pulmonology, thoracic radiology, interventional pulmonology, and pathology) provides a streamlined nodule workup that balances safety with certainty. We combine validated cancer-risk calculators and guideline-based pathways with minimally invasive diagnostics when needed.

What we do:

• Risk stratification using established models and guideline thresholds to determine if a nodule should be watched or sampled.
• Guideline-based surveillance for incidentally found nodules (e.g., Fleischner Society recommendations).
• Advanced imaging (low-dose CT, PET-CT) with rapid comparison to prior studies.
• Minimally invasive biopsy when indicated (navigational/robotic bronchoscopy, EBUS, or CT-guided techniques).
• Coordinated next steps with thoracic surgery and oncology if cancer is suspected.

In lung-cancer screening trials, over 95% of CT-detected nodules were benign.

Who should ask about screening?

If you’re 50–80 years old with a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years, annual low-dose CT screening is recommended by the USPSTF. Screening finds many small, treatable cancers early.