What it means
Radiologists use subcentimeter for any finding smaller than 1 cm, roughly the size of a pea or smaller. It is purely a size word and says nothing about what the finding is. Modern scanners show very fine detail, so reports often mention tiny cysts, nodules or lymph nodes that older scanners would have missed.
When it matters
Small size often goes with lower concern. Many subcentimeter findings are harmless, and lymph nodes under 1 cm across are usually normal in size. The catch is that very small spots can be too small to characterize, meaning the scan cannot show exactly what they are. Depending on the organ and your history, they may be compared with older scans or checked again later.
Questions to ask your doctor
- Exactly how big is it in millimeters, and where is it?
- Is it too small for the scan to tell what it is?
- Given my history, does a spot this small need a follow-up scan?
