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Real members of myRAteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Can RA nodules attach themselves to a kidney or lung?

A myRAteam Member asked a question 💭
Graham, NC
November 10, 2025
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Rheumatoid Nodules: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments Read Article...
A myRAteam Member

I wish you well with this diagnosis. I had a rather large one a few years ago. My "team" of Dr's didn't confer until I happened to ask my Rheumatologist about it during one of my visits. He immediately sent a message to my Pulmonologist about what it sounded like to him. 🤦‍♀️ That was that. I'm just glad I wasn't ripped open for exploratory surgery.
Now, an MRI shows a renal cell carcinoma, so I was wondering if nodules ever appeared on soft tissue such as this. My urologist appt is tomorrow, so I guess I will find out.
Blessings to you as you find answers about your condition. RA is not for wimps. I'm in my 36th year of dealing with it and sll the wonders that it brings.
Hugs,
Debbie

November 11, 2025
A myRAteam Member

Yes they can be found in your lungs. I currently have them. I just had a CT scan done last week and found that I now have six instead of two. I plan to discuss this with my Rheumatologist next week. It is rare but it can happen.

November 10, 2025
myRAteam

Can rheumatoid nodules develop in the kidneys or lungs?

Rheumatoid nodules can develop in the lungs, but they don't typically form in the kidneys. These nodules are inflammatory bumps that most commonly appear under the skin at pressure points like elbows and fingers, but they're not limited to these areas.

In the lungs Show Full Answer

Can rheumatoid nodules develop in the kidneys or lungs?

Rheumatoid nodules can develop in the lungs, but they don't typically form in the kidneys. These nodules are inflammatory bumps that most commonly appear under the skin at pressure points like elbows and fingers, but they're not limited to these areas.

In the lungs, rheumatoid nodules can form within the lung tissue itself. These pulmonary nodules are generally small growths that result from the same inflammatory process affecting your joints. While they may look concerning on imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans, they don't turn into cancer.

In rare cases, if a lung nodule ruptures, it can cause a collapsed lung and breathing difficulties. Most of the time, though, lung nodules don't cause symptoms on their own.

The nodules can also appear in other internal areas including the heart, eyes, and vocal cords - though these locations are less common. They tend to develop several years after RA begins, particularly in people with more severe disease or high rheumatoid factor levels in their blood.

If you're concerned about nodules developing in your organs, talk with your rheumatologist about monitoring and treatment options to manage your RA effectively.

November 10, 2025

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