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What Is a Thyroid Nodule?

Masses consisting of fluid and/or tissue within the thyroid gland in the neck are quite common. The majority of these nodules are benign (non-cancerous). Around the age of 60, about half of the population has thyroid nodules.

DOES A THYROID NODULE CAUSE SYMPTOMS?

  1. They usually do not cause any symptoms and are often detected incidentally during examinations performed for other reasons.

  2. Sometimes, they may grow large enough to become visible from the outside and can cause difficulty swallowing or shortness of breath.

  3. If the thyroid gland becomes overactive, symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, excessive sweating, tremors, irritability, and rapid or irregular heartbeat may occur.

  4. In contrast, if the thyroid gland becomes underactive, symptoms such as feeling cold, fatigue, dry skin, memory problems, forgetfulness, depression, and constipation may develop.

What Are the Risk Factors for Thyroid Nodules?

  1. Low iodine levels

  2. Low iron levels

  3. Family history

  4. Gender: More common in women

  5. Advanced age

  6. Radiation exposure to the head and neck

  7. Smoking

  8. Obesity

  9. Alcohol consumption

How Is a Thyroid Nodule Diagnosed?

Ultrasound is the first method used for diagnosing a thyroid nodule.

Is There a Risk of Cancer in Thyroid Nodules?

  • The risk of cancer in thyroid nodules is about 10%.

  • Nodules larger than 1 cm in patients under 35 years old and larger than 1.5 cm in patients over 35 years old should be evaluated for potential malignancy.

  • The risk of cancer in multinodular goiter is the same as that in a single thyroid nodule.

  • The risk of cancer is higher in younger patients.

What Should I Do If There Is a Cancer Risk in a Thyroid Nodule?

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is one of the fastest and most reliable methods to determine whether a nodule is cancerous.
If the fine-needle biopsy is inconclusive, a core needle (tru-cut) biopsy can be performed.

Treatment of Thyroid Nodules:

  • Nodules that do not cause symptoms do not require treatment; regular follow-up is sufficient.

  • For benign nodules that cause symptoms, ablation therapies or surgical treatment may be applied.

  • For malignant nodules, surgical treatment is required.

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