Language
Country/Area
No result found
The Hidden Truth About Thyroid Nodules: Do You Really Know How Common They Are?
During routine health checks, many people may be told that they have thyroid nodules. These abnormal ridges of tissue or fluid often form in a normal thyroid gland, but their prevalence is often underestimated. According to statistics, almost 50% of people will have at least one thyroid nodule in their lifetime, however, most of these nodules are benign and in many cases do not even cause any symptoms.
Small, asymptomatic nodules are often overlooked and may be discovered incidentally during other health tests.
Identification of thyroid nodules
A thyroid nodule is typically a raised mass of tissue located at the edge of the thyroid gland that can sometimes be felt as a lump in the throat or even be seen at the front of the neck. If the nodule grows larger, you may experience difficulty swallowing or breathing. Additionally, thyroid cysts may be fluid-filled cavities and, in some cases, they may contain malignant solid components.
Diagnostic Process
Usually after a nodule is discovered during a physical exam, the patient is referred to an endocrinologist for further evaluation. Your doctor will perform an ultrasound to confirm the presence and status of the nodules and will also measure levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone and anti-thyroid antibodies to assess for the presence of functional thyroid disease.
"Ultrasound has become the preferred non-invasive method for examining the thyroid gland, allowing assessment of size, texture, location, and vascularity."
Such as nodules occur at the same time
When a thyroid nodule is found on CT, MRI, or PET-CT, serial testing should be performed for follow-up evaluation, as recommended by the American College of Radiology. During this process, ultrasound imaging will be the initial examination method to help the doctor understand the specific characteristics of the nodule and decide whether to perform a fine needle aspiration biopsy.
Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAC)
FNAC is a simple, safe and inexpensive method of collecting a cell sample using a fine needle and syringe. For nodules larger than 1 cm, especially those with malignant indications, FNAC is necessary. In the examination results, the nature of the nodule was determined according to the Bethesda System.
“Only a small percentage of neck masses are malignant, and approximately 4% to 6.5% of thyroid nodules are cancer.”
Malignant risk assessment
Solitary thyroid nodules are more common in women but are more concerning in men. The risk of malignancy for such nodules may be influenced by several factors, including family history and past radiation therapy to the head and neck. In addition, hoarseness, rapid enlargement of nodules, and swollen lymph nodes are all warning signs that may indicate malignancy.
85% of nodules are considered "cold nodules," and of these, 5% to 8% may be malignant. In contrast, "hot nodules" are rarely malignant, making them an important indicator in diagnosis.
Treatment methods
For nodules that are confirmed to be malignant, surgical removal (thyroidectomy) may be necessary. In addition, non-surgical minimally invasive techniques such as ultrasound-guided targeted therapy have also shown good results in recent years, providing patients with more treatment options.
Regardless of the nature of the nodule, regular examination and medical evaluation are always the most important steps. With the prevalence of thyroid nodules, anyone can become a troublemaker for these lumps. So, how should you determine your thyroid health?
