12/16/2019 / By Grace Olson
If you ever find a lump in the thyroid area, don’t start panicking just yet. Those lumps are most likely thyroid nodules. A lot of people develop nodules in their life and never notice them. Most of them are harmless, but some can become cancerous. To properly identify it, consult your trusted healthcare practitioner.
Learn more about thyroid nodules, their causes, potential risks and treatment below.
Despite being small, the thyroid plays a crucial role in the body. It is responsible for producing hormones that regulate metabolism. This small gland is shaped like a butterfly and is found at the front of the neck.
A nodule can form on the thyroid, producing a noticeable lump. You may notice it yourself or your physician may point it out to you. According to the American Thyroid Association, more than half of the population develop a nodule in their lifetimes. Most people just notice them when they are older.
To clarify, it is not goiter (an enlarged thyroid), but it is possible to have nodules and goiter at the same time.
There are many possible reasons for a thyroid nodule, including:
Once you or your physician identified the nodule, he will perform an ultrasound to investigate it.
During the ultrasound, the sound waves show an image of the thyroid and reflect the nodule’s echogenicity. This refers to how bright the nodule looks compared to the rest of the thyroid tissue. If the thyroid nodule looks light, it is called a “hyperechoic nodule.” This means that the nodule is filled with fluid and is most likely benign. However, if the thyroid nodule appears dark, it may be a problem.
A dark nodule is called a “hypoechoic nodule.” It means that the thyroid is comparably solid. Hypoechoic nodules have a higher risk of being cancerous, so your physician may perform a fine-needle biopsy to check.
Another indicator is size. If the nodule is significantly big, your physician may suspect that the cells may be cancerous.
If a hypoechoic nodule is detected, you may undergo a series of tests that can help confirm if the nodule is cancerous or not.
These include:
While nodules develop due to various causes, there are natural ways to prevent them:
If you find a lump in your throat, make sure to have it checked first. Learn more about benign and malignant lumps and how to treat them at CancerTumors.news.
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Tagged Under:
cyst, Goiter, hashimotos disease, hyperechoic nodule, hypoechoic nodule, iodine deficiency, prevention, remedies, thyroid, thyroid adenoma, thyroid nodule, thyroiditis
This article may contain statements that reflect the opinion of the author