What Are the Causes of Benign Lung Nodules and Tumors?
The causes of benign lung tumors and nodules are poorly understood. But in general, they often result from problems like these: Inflammation from infections such as: • An infectious fungus (histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, cryptococcosis, or aspergillosis, for example) • Tuberculosis (TB) • A lung abscess • Round pneumonia Inflammation from noninfectious causes such as: • Rheumatoid arthritis • Wegener granulomatosis • Sarcoidosis Birth defects such as a lung cyst or other lung malformation. These are some of the more common types of benign lung tumors: • Hamartomas are the most common type of benign lung tumor and the third most common cause of solitary pulmonary nodules. These firm marble-like tumors are made up of tissue from the lung’s lining as well as tissue such as fat and cartilage. They are usually located in the periphery of the lung. • Bronchial adenomas make up about half of all benign lung tumors. They are a diverse group of tumors that arise from mucous glands and duct
