Thyroid nodules: symptoms, causes, to treatment

Definition

What are thyroid nodules?

Thyroid nodules are tumor seeds that appear in the thyroid. Because the tumor is small and scattered, it is called a localized goiter.

The thyroid gland is located in the neck. These glands are part of the endocrine system that produce thyroid hormones that help control metabolic processes. Thyroid nodules are tumor particles called thyroid armor.

Local spread of goiter is caused by infection. Most thyroid tumors are usually benign or cysts filled with fluid, but melanoma also shows the same thing.

You may not even notice you have a thyroid nodule until your doctor has done an exam. The doctor may also discover the condition during a scan that is done for other health reasons.

Since some local goiter may be potentially cancerous, local goiter distribution should be checked.

How common is this condition?

This disease is diagnosed in people of all ages and genders. However, patients often do not realize that they have a worsening thyroid disease until they see a doctor.

Therefore, you must have regular health checks to the doctor to ensure the health of your body.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of a thyroid nodule?

You may not realize that you have local goiter, which is causing certain symptoms. These symptoms may include a soft lump, unable to feel the thyroid gland near the neck.

Most thyroid goiters are benign or cold (inactive) tumors so they don't affect health. Heated (overactive) bulges can cause anxiety, sweating, weight loss, hunger, and chills, and create too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism).

In some cases, the tumor seeds develop rapidly to form a hard barrier and make voice changes (hoarseness), or difficulty swallowing so that they are at risk of carcinogenicity and should be removed as soon as possible.

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, only a small proportion of thyroid nodules are cancerous. However, you cannot determine for yourself whether your condition leads to cancer or not.

Most cancerous thyroid nodules grow slowly and may be small in size. Aggressive thyroid cancer is rare with large, firm, fast-growing nodules.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

Most thyroid tumors are benign, but you should not underestimate them as they can develop into cancer. Call your doctor if you:

Have radiotherapy to the neck or have a family history of thyroid cancer
Still have symptoms after treatment or surgery

Cause

What are the causes of thyroid nodules?

Several conditions can cause thyroid nodules, including:

Thyroid tissue overgrowth. This condition is sometimes referred to as a thyroid adenoma. It is not cancerous and is not taken seriously, unless it causes disturbing symptoms.
Thyroid cyst. Fluid-filled cavities (cysts) are usually not cancerous, but sometimes contain a solid component of cancer.
Chronic inflammation of the thyroid. Hashimoto's disease can cause inflammation of the thyroid and produce enlarged nodules.
Multinodular goiter. This condition can be caused by iodine deficiency or thyroid disorders.
Thyroid cancer. The chances of a thyroid nodule becoming cancer are slim. However, if you experience any pain or discomfort, contact your doctor immediately.
Iodine deficiency. This can cause your thyroid gland to develop thyroid nodules.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for thyroid nodules?

Certain factors that increase your risk of developing thyroid nodules include:

Old age;
Women;
Radiation exposure. Environmental radiation exposure or a history of radiation therapy to the head, neck, chest (especially during childhood) increases the risk;
Iodine deficiency: thyroid disease can cause bumps to appear;
Has Hashimoto's thyroiditis: may be the cause of hypothyroidism;
Father or mother who has thyroid nodules.

Medicines & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are my treatment options for thyroid nodules?

Most thyroid tumors are benign tumors. Certain forms of benign thyroid tumors can be easily treated with thyroid hormone supplements and the drug levothyroxine, which can help prevent tumor development.

For tumors that contain fluid, the fluid will be removed using the same method as a thyroid biopsy, such as using a cytology needle. Surgery may be needed to remove large tumors if there is a risk of developing thyroid cancer or pressing on blood vessels and other tissues in the neck.

If you can't completely remove the tumor, you can use a method that uses radioactive iodine to destroy any remaining cancer cells. This treatment will also destroy normal thyroid cells, so after treatment hypothyroidism and hormonal treatment are required.

Complications from surgery include bleeding, infection, hypocalcemia due to parathyroid lesions located near the thyroid gland during surgery, or injury to the vocal cords. But experienced surgeons can usually minimize complications.

Hormone therapy for benign tumors can cause the thyroid to be overactive (hyperthyroidism). Radioactive iodine therapy can cause swelling and other glands to constrict.

What are the usual tests for this condition?

A blood test on thyroid function will help diagnose thyroid tumor. But because the majority of thyroid tumors are benign, most people have normal thyroid function. The spread of the tumor is often detected on X-ray of the neck during physical examination.

Ultrasound (using sound waves to capture images of parts of the body) can detect tumor spread and see if tumor seeds form certain characteristics. The spread of certain tumors can develop into cancer.

A special (thyroid) test can detect an overactive thyroid tumor, which is causing an overproduction of hormones and should be checked whether this condition should be treated or not.

Your doctor will check a tissue sample (biopsy) of the spread of the tumor to see if it is benign. A biopsy is performed using a small needle to obtain a sample of the thyroid, which is then examined under a microscope.