The thyroid gland is the gland located at the level of the Adam's apple (neck prominence), weighing 25 grams and producing thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones are essential for the maintenance of normal metabolism in the body and for the completion of normal development in children.
What is a Thyroid Nodule?
Thyroid nodules are solid or fluid filled lumps formed by abnormal growth of cells in the thyroid gland. Liquid nodules are called cysts. One or more thyroid nodules may develop on the thyroid gland and cause a condition called multinodular goiter. Thyroid nodule is common in the community. In some series, nodules were detected in the thyroid gland in 3 or 5 of every 10 people. Despite being so common, thyroid cancer is found in roughly 5-15% of nodules. Besides being malignant, some nodules may cause hyperthyroidism by synthesizing excessive thyroid hormone.
What are the Causes of Thyroid Nodules?
The causes that cause uncontrolled growth at the cellular level in the thyroid gland are responsible for the formation of thyroid nodules. This uncontrolled growth may be due to cancer as well as inflammation (Hashimato's thyroid) or iodine deficiency.
What are the Symptoms of Thyroid Nodules?
Thyroid nodules are usually small and do not cause symptoms. . They are usually noticed during the examination.
Symptoms in patients with large nodules are as follows:
- A feeling of being stuck in the throat when swallowing.
- Feeling difficulty in breathing.
- Voicing.
- Sore throat.
- Noisy breathing at night due to pressure in the esophagus.
- Difficulties in swallowing due to nodule pressure.
- Muffled voice.
- Weight loss due to accelerated metabolism.
- Weakness in the muscles.
- Anxious mood.
- Heart palpitations.
- Irregular menstrual cycle.
How to Diagnose Thyroid Nodules?
Thyroid nodules are detected by careful physical examination or by ultrasonography. Ultrasonography also shows whether the nodule is liquid (cystic nodule) or solid (solid nodule), the diameter of the nodule, the borders of the nodule, and its blood supply. some features are checked. These features help distinguish between benign and malignant nodules. If necessary, a needle biopsy can be performed to confirm the diagnosis. In some cases, biopsy may be insufficient to reach a definitive diagnosis and surgical procedure may be required. The change in size of benign nodules with regular controls is followed by ultrasonography. In addition, a blood test may be required to determine whether the detected nodules produce hormones. In addition to blood analysis, thyroid scintigraphy can also be used to detect nodules that produce more hormones than normal. It is considered 2 times more risky. In addition, nodules found at an advanced age or young age are more risky than nodules found in middle age. Nodules seen in people who have received radiation to the head and neck region are also in the risky category. The size of the nodule is another factor that increases the risk of cancer development. Nodules should be examined more carefully in patients with a family history of thyroid cancer.
What are the Treatment Methods for Thyroid Nodules?
The treatment of thyroid nodules varies depending on whether they are benign or malignant. Benign nodules can usually be followed. However, surgical treatment can be considered for nodules that cause difficulty in swallowing by putting pressure on the esophagus even if they are benign, cause difficulty in breathing by pushing the trachea to the opposite side, create hoarseness or cause aesthetic problems. In the treatment of nodules that produce excessive hormones, drug therapy, surgical treatment or radioactive iodine treatment are among the options. The most appropriate treatment is decided after detailed examination and evaluation of the patient. Benign nodules that do not cause discomfort are followed at regular intervals. Biopsy or surgical procedure may be required for nodules with enlargement in the follow-ups.
Florence Nightingale Hospitals provide patient-specific treatment approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules with its experienced physician staff and the use of many different techniques and equipment. If you have also been diagnosed with a thyroid nodule, if you feel a lump on your neck, you may have a thyroid nodule. If you suspect this or want to be examined for early diagnosis, do not forget to consult a specialist doctor.
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