Lung Nodule Program Information for Patients

A lung nodule is an abnormal growth that forms in a lung. Your nodule(s) might have been discovered during an X-ray or CT scan. Your doctor might also call it a spot on the lung, a lesion or shadow.

Many lung nodules are benign (non-cancerous), but it is important to have a doctor check them to determine exactly what caused them. That’s where the Med Center Health Lung Nodule Program comes in. We will work with your doctor to examine, diagnose and treat your nodule(s).

At Med Center Health, we have a network of physicians who work together with your primary care doctor to determine what kind of specialist you might need to see. Our Lung Nodule Program has doctors from the following specialties who can help you in the event that your nodule needs further treatment.

• Pulmonologists from Western Kentucky Heart & Lung Associates – Pulmonologists specialize in diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the lungs
• Cardiothoracic Surgeons from Med Center Health Heart, Lung & Vascular Surgeons – Cardiothoracic surgeons specialize in operating on the heart, lungs and other thoracic (chest) organs like your esophagus.
• Oncologists from Med Center Health Hematology & Oncology and Med Center Health Radiation Oncology – A medical oncologist specializes in diagnosing and treating various forms of cancer. A radiation oncologist uses radiation technology to pinpoint and treat specific areas of the body following a cancer diagnosis.
• Your Patient Navigator is a person who is there to support you every step of the way. This person assists patients and their primary care physicians through processes including scheduling appointments, arranging testing, lab work, and biopsies or surgeries if needed.

In the morning before your appointment, our Lung Nodule Board will meet to discuss your specific results and they will determine which physician would be most appropriate for you.

When you meet with the physician, they will discuss your results with you and decide if any further testing is needed.

If your doctor determines you need further testing, your Patient Navigator will schedule any diagnostic imaging or testing for you and will also schedule follow up appointments with you. The Medical Center at Bowling Green offers everything you need for additional testing so that you will not have to travel to get the care you need, including some testing and imaging services offered at our regional facilities that might be closer to your home, including:

• The Medical Center at Bowling Green
• Western Kentucky Diagnostic Imaging in Bowling Green
• The Medical Center at Franklin
• The Medical Center at Scottsville
• The Medical Center at Caverna
• The Medical Center at Albany

The mission of the Lung Nodule Program is to provide patients with quick access to specialists, testing, services and treatment. We will provide you with the results from testing as soon as they are made available and the doctor has a chance to review them.

You are in the right place, no matter your prognosis. At the Med Center Health Lung Nodule Program, our goal is to detect lung nodules at the earliest stages to either prevent serious issues before they occur or to treat concerns quickly by offering a variety of options tailored to your specific diagnosis. Our specialists are experts in their fields and have access to the latest treatment options and technologies, right here, close to home. Together, we will work to give you the care you need.