About This Condition
What is a benign lung tumor?
A tumor, or abnormal growth in the lungs, is the result of abnormal cells or cell death in lung tissue or in the airways leading to the lungs. This can occur if cells divide too rapidly or do not die off normally. Small growths in the lungs — 3 cm or less in diameter — are called pulmonary nodules. A growth larger than 3 cm is called a mass.
Benign lung tumors are not cancerous and will not spread beyond the lungs. They grow slowly or may stop growing altogether, and are typically not life-threatening. However, they can expand and push against nearby tissues, blood vessels, or nerves, and can make patients more susceptible to pneumonia, collapsed lungs, and coughing up blood.
Common Symptoms
Common symptoms of benign lung tumors.
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Often no symptoms
Many benign tumors are discovered incidentally on imaging.
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Persistent cough
A cough that doesn't resolve, sometimes triggered by tumor location.
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Coughing up blood
Hemoptysis can occur if the tumor irritates airway tissue.
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Recurrent pneumonia
Tumors can obstruct airways and cause repeated infections.
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CONDITION
Thymoma
A tumor of the thymus gland — best treated with surgical removal of the entire thymus.
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CONDITION
Lung Infections
Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections of the lungs — pneumonia or bronchitis — that fill airways with fluid and impair breathing.
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