The solitary pulmonary nodule. An aggressive workup

The solitary pulmonary nodule observed on chest films should be pursued aggressively, usually by means of tissue study, since the clinical and roentgenographic characteristics of the nodule are often misleading and do not permit a reliable diagnosis. A decision to follow a patient without definitive tissue study should be made only under the most unusual circumstances. As lung cancer has now reached epidemic proportions and as early surgical treatment affords the only reasonable chance for cure, the solitary pulmonary nodule deserves diligent attention.