Waiting for biopsy. Is this likely cancer?

Hello,
I'm so glad this message board exists.

My mom is about to turn 75. She smoked for about 25-30 years and quit in her early or mid-50s.

She's had a lot of respiratory infections over the past 6-7 years: bronchitis, pneumonia, etc. When she gets pneumonia, it has been very difficult for the doctors to fight it. She's also coughs quite a bit -- even when she's well. Laughing will make her cough. This has been the case for years.

Thursday mom went into the ER with severe chest pain. Doctor's determined it was not heart related. Imaging revealed pneumonia (a surprise to her since my mom had none of the usual symptoms). A CT scan revealed a spiculated nodule in upper left lobe. Size 22mm x 24mm. There are also 4 enlarged lymph nodes nearby (could it be the pneumonia?). Biopsy is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 29th.

Mom's sister died of lung cancer two years ago (age 76). Also a past smoker.

I've always been concerned about lung cancer in my mom. The writing seems to be on the wall, and I'm as ready as anyone can be for it. However, I'm curious if anyone has encountered a nodule with the size, shape, and location that was NOT cancer. I know my mom is high risk due to the smoking history and symptoms.

My mom was back in the ER yesterday, still in severe pain. ER doc added a second antibiotic and prednisone. He suspects pleurisy is causing the pain. I'll be calling her this morning to see if she's doing any better.

Thoughts? Sound like lung cancer?

Thank you!