Thyroid Nodules

Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located atMost thyroid nodules are benign growths caused
the base of your neck, just below your Adam'sby cycles of hyperplasia (increaed cellular activity)
apple — about where you'd put a bow tie.and involution of underlying thyroid tissue. This
Weighing less than an ounce, the thyroid glandprocess results in the fusion of regions of
produces hormones that regulate every aspect ofcolloid-filled follicles and parenchyma, forming what
your metabolism, from your heart rate to howis called adenomatous or colloid nodules.
quickly you burn calories.Treatment
Simply put, thyroid nodules are lumps whichTreatment of thyroid nodules depends on the
commonly arise within an otherwise normalnature of the nodule as revealed by these two
thyroid gland. Often these abnormal growths oftests. If the nodule is "warm" and the biopsy does
thyroid tissue are located at the edge of thenot show malignant cells, it can be safely assumed
thyroid gland so they can be felt as a lump in thethat the nodule is not malignant. However, if the
throat.scan shows a "cold" nodule and the biopsy shows
Thyroid nodules are very common. A nodule is athat the cells are "suggestive of malignancy" then
swelling or lump, which can be a solid or liquid filledthe nodule must be removed
cyst or mass. Most are benign, but a smallThyroid hormone therapy
percentage can be cancerous. So you shouldIf part or all of a thyroid gland is removed,
always have a nodule evaluated by your physicianhormone therapy medication is necessary to
as soon as you notice it. An estimated one in 12replace the thyroid gland hormones that can no
to 15 women and one in 50 men has a thyroidlonger be produced. In this case, a synthetic form
nodule More than 90 percent of all thyroid nodulesof thyroid hormone must be taken daily for life.
are not cancerous.This type of hormone therapy is considered safe
Thyroid Nodules Symptomsand causes few side effects
Difficulty swallowing if the nodule is positioned suchThyroid scan: Your doctor may order a scan of
that food has difficulty traveling through the upperyour thyroid. You swallow a small amount of a
portion of the esophagus to the stomachradioactive substance, and it travels through the
Pain is only rarely associated with thyroid nodulesbloodstream. Thyroid cells that absorb the
In addition to these symptoms, severalradioactive substance can be seen on a scan.
complications can result from a thyroid nodule. ForNodules that take up more of the substance than
example, a thyroid nodule may produce excessivethe thyroid tissue around them are called "hot"
levels of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism),nodules. Hot nodules are usually not cancer.
causing symptoms such as nervousness, weightYou have several nodules (multinodular goiter) and
loss, and a rapid heartbeat. Diarrhea may alsosurgery is not a good idea because of other
occur due to the hormones that are secreted byhealth problems you have. Radioactive iodine can
medullary thyroid cancer cells.shrink nodules that cause problems with breathing
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:or swallowing, but your nodules may come back
Thyroid nodules are growths of cells in the thyroidafter treatment.
glands. These growths can be benignIf your thyroid nodule is causing hyperthyroidism,
(non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Someyour doctor may recommend a dose of
nodules are fluid-filled (cysts), while others areradioactive iodine, which usually comes in a liquid
completely made of thyroid gland cells.that you swallow. Your doctor may have you
Sometimes, what feels like one nodule will actuallytake medicine (antithyroid pills) for a few weeks
be a collection of small nodules close together.to slow down the hormone production.