My mom just found out that she may have kidney cancer. They found a nodule in her kidney that is about 1 cm. The doctor has ordered a pet scan and maybe a biopsy. I wanted to know how common is this and is the prognosis good? Also they found another spot in her lungs also? Any answers are greatly appreciated. Thank you!

A nodule is a small growth or lump of tissue.
It's not nessisarliy cancerous!

It's very common and can have it on many parts of the body without it being dangerous. It's best have it checked out if you do though.
Imformation about kidney cancer

Doctors and scientists do not know exactly what causes kidney cancer. But some things do increase the risk. There is information below on

How common kidney cancer is
Smoking
Obesity
Some types of kidney disease
Having high blood pressure and taking medicines for it
Taking some types of mild painkillers
Your diet
Exposure to chemicals at work
Faulty genes and inherited conditions that increase kidney cancer risk
Having one of these risk factors does not necessarily mean you will get kidney cancer. And some people diagnosed with kidney cancer do not have any of these risk factors.

How common is kidney cancer?
Kidney cancer is the 13th most common cancer diagnosed in the UK. In 2003, just under 6,700 people were diagnosed. Nearly 2 out 3 people diagnosed (62%) are over 65 years old. Kidney cancer is rare in people under 50. It affects many more men than women. This could be because in the past more men smoked cigarettes. Smoking increases your risk of getting kidney cancer.
If you would like more infromation go to
www.cancerhelp.org.uk

Lots of people have nodules in places in their body. They do not always indicate malignancy.
If your mother smokes, it makes her a huge risk for cancer.
I think they are probably just being on the safe side.

would go to webmd.com