Post Date December, 03 2023
"Thyroid nodules are masses that grow inside the thyroid gland, and can be solitary (only one) or multiple (many).". Thyroid nodules are a very common disease. If you use rough statistics, one in five people has thyroid nodules.
Thyroid nodules can be benign or malignant
Thyroid nodules can be benign or malignant, and malignant nodules are commonly referred to as thyroid cancer.
Determining whether a thyroid nodule is malignant can only be achieved through pathological examination. That is, take out the tissue cells from the nodules, make pathological sections, and observe them under a microscope. If cancer cells can be found, it can be determined that the nodules are malignant.
Currently, there are only two methods for extracting tissue cells from nodules, one is fine needle aspiration of the thyroid gland, and the other is surgery.
Before obtaining pathological results, we cannot arbitrarily say whether this nodule is benign or malignant. However, some auxiliary examinations, such as thyroid color Doppler ultrasound, can be used to determine whether the nodule is benign or malignant.
What are the characteristics of malignant nodules?
In the past, health headlines have repeatedly mentioned how to determine the benign and malignant tendencies of nodules. Let's review it briefly today.
According to the latest "Clinical Treatment Guidelines for Thyroid Nodules" issued by the American Endocrine Society, patients with malignant nodules may have the following characteristics:
Head and neck radiation history;
A family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, multiple endocrine adenoma type 2, and papillary thyroid carcinoma;
Age<14 years or>70 years;
Male;
Nodules increase in a short period of time;
The texture of the nodules is relatively hard;
Nodules are difficult to push;
Neck lymph node enlargement;
Persistent dysphonia, dysphagia, or dyspnea.
Malignant nodules may have the following manifestations in thyroid color Doppler ultrasound:
Solid hypoechoic nodules;
Microcalcification;
The blood flow inside the nodules is abundant;
The aspect ratio of nodules is unbalanced, with an aspect ratio greater than 1;
There are burrs or lobulated signs on the edge of the nodules;
Abnormal ipsilateral lymph nodes.
How often should benign nodules be reexamined?
If the nodules tend to be benign, you can relax!
If there are no symptoms of discomfort, long-term follow-up is sufficient. It is recommended to have an ultrasound examination and serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test once a year. If the ultrasound examination shows no changes in the nodules during the first year of follow-up, the ultrasound examination can be performed two years later.
How often should malignant nodules be reexamined?
If the nodules tend to be malignant, patients should be vigilant!
Depending on the degree of malignancy manifested by the nodule, the doctor may recommend close follow-up, FNA, or surgery. If the doctor recommends a follow-up visit and does not require FNA or surgery for the time being, thyroid ultrasound should be reviewed every 3-6 months.
What are the precautions during the review?
Because the results of thyroid B-ultrasound are greatly influenced by the examination equipment and the skills of doctors, it is best to have a recheck at the same hospital every time. If conditions permit, it is best to have the same B-ultrasound doctor examine each time.
It is best to store the report form for each examination uniformly and take it to the hospital when seeing a doctor, so that doctors can compare it and make correct judgments.
If a sudden enlargement of the nodule is found, or difficulty in pronouncing, swallowing, or breathing occurs, it indicates that the nodule may have malignant transformation. Go to the hospital in a timely manner, and do not wait until the established review deadline before going to the examination.
In fact, calling thyroid nodules a disease is not very appropriate. Because most people with benign nodules can completely have no discomfort, like normal people, their lives and work will not be affected at all.
