The problem of benign pulmonary nodules in children receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy

Chest computed tomography (CT) is often used to detect and monitor pulmonary nodules in children undergoing chemotherapy for underlying sarcoma. Three children underwent resection of nodules which persisted during chemotherapy. In two children, all resected nodules were benign; in the other, a mixture of benign and malignant nodules was found. Our findings suggest that nodular scar formation after successful eradication by chemotherapeutic agents may be a mechanism for the persistence of pulmonary nodules. It should not be assumed that persistence of pulmonary nodules on CT after appropriate chemotherapy indicates inadequate response.