With the advent of low-dose spiral CT screening technology, the discovery volume of lung nodules has risen exponentially. A 2024 study by Reference Citation Analysis found that the overall detection rate of lung nodules in the population undergoing CT scans is approximately 27%. This means that roughly one in every four people undergoing a chest CT will have a lung nodule detected.
The study also pointed out that aging and smoking are the primary risk factors for lung nodules. However, it is worth noting that the detection rate among female non-smokers has shown a clear upward trend in recent years. This is closely related to long-term exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollutants like PM2.5, dust in occupational environments, and even residual inflammation following a severe cold or COVID-19 infection. “Lung nodules” are no longer caused by a single factor.
Lung Nodules generally refer to round or oval opacities with a diameter of ≤3 cm on CT images. Clinically, they are often further subdivided based on size into micronodules (<5mm), small nodules (5-10mm), and pulmonary nodules (10-30mm). From a medical pathology perspective, over 90% of lung nodules are benign—likely resulting from inflammation, tuberculosis, or fibrous scarring—though a small fraction may represent the budding stage of early lung cancer. For patients with lower-risk nodules, the uncertainty regarding the “probability of worsening” during the periodic review process often leads to sustained anxiety and high mental stress, creating a vicious cycle.
Stratified Intervention: Monitoring Changes at Different Stages
After discovering a lung nodule, a refined stratified management strategy can be established to alleviate anxiety. The possibility of malignancy is assessed based on the nodule’s size, morphology (solid, pure ground-glass opacity, or mixed ground-glass opacity), and dynamic changes over time.
For the vast majority of low-risk micronodules, an active “dynamic observation” approach is recommended. Large-scale clinical data shows that for micronodules smaller than 5mm, the probability of malignancy is typically less than 1%; for nodules under 8mm, the vast majority are also benign, with a malignancy rate of less than 5%. Furthermore, there is a fundamental difference in the growth rate of nodules of different natures. For example, the volume doubling time for benign nodules usually exceeds 2 years, whereas malignant nodules may double in less than 400 days. Therefore, periodic CT follow-ups can effectively distinguish between benign and malignant growths.
When a nodule is highly suspected of being malignant during follow-up (manifesting as increased diameter, increased solid component, lobulation, spiculation, or pleural indentation), surgical treatment is currently the primary means of achieving a radical cure. Thanks to advances in medical technology, thoracic surgery has entered the minimally invasive era. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) can precisely resect the diseased lung segment through 2-3 small incisions, maximizing the preservation of healthy lung tissue. This type of surgery involves minimal trauma, less pain, and fast recovery. For early-stage lung cancer patients, the cure rate is extremely high, and quality of life is well preserved. For patients unable to tolerate surgery due to advanced age or poor cardiopulmonary function, local ablation techniques such as stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and radiofrequency ablation offer alternative options.
From “Passive Observation” to “Active Management”: The Rise of New Care Concepts
Although the medical interventions mentioned above are effective, patients with lung nodules can also take action during the monitoring period to actively improve their condition and alleviate the anxiety caused by uncertainty. Patients can improve their systemic state through lifestyle interventions: quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke, using proper occupational protection in dusty environments, using powerful range hoods when cooking, and wearing masks when air pollution is severe to reduce lung damage at the source. Simultaneously, balanced nutrition, moderate exercise, and maintaining a positive mindset can enhance overall immunity.
In addition to these measures, patients can supplement their routine with professional, scientific lung care products. BISPIT Lung Nodule products follow the pharmacological research of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) centered on “clearing the lungs and transforming phlegm, softening hardness and dissipating nodules.” Combined with modern pharmacological analysis of key pathological links such as inflammation, oxidation, and immunity, BISPIT offers a new approach specifically designed for the lung nodule population.
The formula design reflects a concept of multi-target regulation. Its core ingredients, such as Astragalus extract, aim to tonify Lung Qi and enhance overall defense and repair capabilities; Zhejiang Fritillaria (Zhe Bei Mu) and Platycodon (Jie Geng) extracts target “phlegm and stasis”; while Sophora Japonica extract and EGCG focus on scavenging oxidative free radicals and reducing persistent inflammatory responses. This synergistic approach of “tonifying deficiency, eliminating evil, and clearing the source” aims to systematically optimize the pulmonary microenvironment, embodying the philosophy of “treating both the root and symptoms.”
BISPIT Lung Nodule products have obtained US NDC certification. They provide a proactive health management solution for people in the “watchful waiting” period for lung nodules, long-term smokers, those frequently inhaling cooking fumes, individuals recovering from impaired lung function after COVID-19 infection, and anyone living in polluted environments who is concerned about respiratory health.