Mr Nigam ENT Treatments - Thyroid Nodule
What is a thyroid nodule?
A nodule is a small lump, or localized growth in part of the thyroid gland. It differs from a goiter, which is an enlarged thyroid gland. However, an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) may contain one or more nodules. A nodule is an area of the gland that appears to be different than the rest by being raised or a different texture. Nodules are very, very common. In most cases they are not cancerous, but a physician should evaluate them all. These growths may be fluid filled (cysts) or solid and formed of thyroid tissue. They may be mixtures of solid and cysts and can bleed into themselves and appear to enlarge in a matter of hours. Nodules can be very small, less than a millimetre, or as large as a few inches. They can occur alone or with others of different sizes in the same gland. Nodules are not a disease, but are a sign of an underlying problem in the thyroid gland. The cause of the nodules needs to be determined.
What causes a nodule?
Between 90-95% of all nodules are benign, noncancerous overgrowths of thyroid tissue. Only about 5% are cancerous. Because of the chance of a nodule being cancerous, all nodules should be fully evaluated. The causes of the benign nodules include a cyst (collection of fluid), thyroid tissue that is overactive (hyperactive nodule), or many growths in an enlarged thyroid gland (multi nodular goiter).
How common are nodules in the thyroid?
In a word - VERY. It is estimated that about 50% of the population will develop a small, unnoticeable thyroid nodule at some time in their life. Most nodules are never detected and do not cause problems. In fact they are only found by doing an ultrasound, a specialized x-ray of the gland. Only 4-7% of the population will have a nodule that is large enough to be found by a physician feeling, or palpating, for it. They are more common in women and the incidence of nodules increases with age. About 4% of women aged 20 years have a palpable nodule whereas 9% of women over age 70 have a palpable nodule. Nodules are only found in about 1% of men.
Does radiation cause nodules?
Certain forms of radiation have been associated with increased risk of cancerous nodules in the thyroid. The risk is small and you have to be exposed to very high amounts of radiation, not the amounts that occur with regular x-rays or sun exposure. Radiation at Hiroshima, Chernobyl, and nuclear weapons testing in the US in the 1940-1970s have all been associated with increased risk of thyroid nodules and cancer. Regular x-rays or dental x-rays are not a known risk factor. However, if you had radiation treatments to your head, neck, tonsils, or thymus, you may be at a slightly increased risk of thyroid cancer. If you are concerned that you had exposure, see your doctor for a check up for thyroid nodules.
Symptoms
What are the symptoms of a thyroid nodule?
Most often they have no symptoms, but can press against the neck and cause a sensation of a lump in the throat, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness or a
cough. A nodule can produce excess thyroid hormone (hyperactive nodule) and symptoms of hyperthyroidism - fast heart rate, weight loss, feeling jittery or
nervous, diarrhoea, tremor. Nodules are sometimes found in a thyroid gland that is underactive, a condition known as hypothyroidism. Symptoms of
hypothyroidism include slow heart rate, weight gain, constipation's, depression and fatigue.