What is a thyroid nodule?
Thyroid nodules are solid or fluid-filled lumps that form within your thyroid, a small gland located at the base of your neck, just above your breastbone. Most thyroid nodules aren’t serious and don’t cause symptoms. Only a small percentage of thyroid nodules are cancerous.
How common are thyroid nodules?
Thyroid nodules are very common, especially in the U.S. In fact, experts estimate that about half of Americans will have one by the time they’re 60 years old. Some are solid, and some are fluid-filled cysts.
What size thyroid nodule is worrisome?
The nodules in 5% of each size group were classified as malignant. Six percent of the nodules 1 to 1.9 cm were considered suspicious, as were 8 to 9% of nodules in the larger size groups. Based on surgical pathology, 927 of 7348 nodules (13%) were cancers.
Treatment of nodules
Surgery. A common treatment for cancerous nodules is surgical removal. In the past, it was standard to remove a majority of thyroid tissue — a procedure called near-total thyroidectomy. However, today more limited surgery to remove only half of the thyroid may be appropriate for some cancerous nodules.
How fast do thyroid cysts grow?
Malignant thyroid nodules are more likely to grow at least 2 mm per year and increase in volume compared with benign thyroid nodules, according to findings published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Can a thyroid cyst turn cancerous?
New research published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association has concluded that even thyroid nodules that grow in size are unlikely to become cancerous
What is Thyroid Nodule and Cyst?
Both are bumps elevated from the skin. Both are palpable and are more than 0.5cm in diameter. However, thyroid nodules comprise of solid materials and cysts are nodular lesions that contain fluid.
Is a thyroid cyst the same as a nodule?
Thyroid cysts are nodules filled with fluid. If a nodule has both fluid and solid parts, it is called a complex nodule. They need to be surgically removed if they cause neck pain or difficultly swallowing.
References
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thyroid-nodules/symptoms-causes/syc-20355262
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/thyroid-nodules-when-to-worry
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thyroid-nodules/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355266#:~:text=performing%20blood%20tests.-,Surgery.,appropriate%20for%20some%20cancerous%20nodules.
https://www.healio.com/news/endocrinology/20171017/malignant-thyroid-nodules-grow-faster-than-benign-nodules
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/most-benign-thyroid-nodules-remain-noncancerous-030315
https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/t/thyroid-nodules.html#:~:text=Thyroid%20cysts%20are%20nodules%20filled,neck%20pain%20or%20difficultly%20swallowing.
