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Thyroid nodule
How to cure thyroid nodules
The treatment of thyroid nodules is primarily based on whether the nodules are benign or malignant. For nodules that are highly suspected to be malignant clinically, or are confirmed to be suspiciously malignant or malignant through thyroid fine needle aspiration, surgical treatment is required and generally yields good results. The second type is benign nodules, for which studies have shown that treatment with levothyroxine can suppress and reduce the size of the nodules, but this is only effective in some iodine-deficient areas. Another type is hyperfunctioning hot nodules, which can be treated with isotope therapy and radioactive iodine. Additionally, if the thyroid nodule causes compressive symptoms, appears behind the sternum or within the mediastinum, and is associated with high-risk factors for thyroid cancer, surgical removal is recommended. For benign thyroid nodules, usually, only regular follow-up with thyroid ultrasound is required; if the ultrasound follow-up shows more than a 50% increase in the size of the thyroid nodule, further thyroid fine needle aspiration is needed, and surgery may be necessary if required.
How to Treat Calcification of Thyroid Nodules
In the treatment of thyroid nodule calcification, we generally decide based on the size of the calcification. Usually, larger calcifications have a lower malignancy rate. Such calcifications can continue to be observed. Depending on specific circumstances, a fine needle aspiration cytology test may be chosen. Depending on the results of the pathological examination after the aspiration, we decide the next treatment approach, whether to continue observation or proceed with surgery. The second type involves smaller calcifications, which relatively have a higher malignancy rate. Our preferred treatment is surgery. During the surgery, based on the medical examination results, if the nodule is malignant, we need to further devise other treatment plans, including expanded surgery, radiotherapy, etc.
Can thyroid nodules heal themselves?
Thyroid nodules cannot heal on their own, but with appropriate treatment, good recovery can be achieved. Thyroid nodules are a common clinical disease, with many causes. Nodules can be either solitary or multiple, and the incidence of multiple nodules is relatively higher. Regardless of the cause, thyroid nodules are more common in middle-aged women, with the most common symptoms including thyroid enlargement, neck discomfort, and localized thyroid pain. When people are diagnosed with thyroid nodules, there is no need to be overly worried. If the color ultrasound and thyroid function tests show no abnormalities, it is possible to observe the condition dynamically, with a follow-up check about once a year. If there is a high suspicion of malignant nodules, it is advisable to opt for early surgical removal, which typically yields very satisfactory results.
Which is more serious, pulmonary nodules or thyroid nodules?
It is impossible to compare the severity between thyroid nodules and lung nodules. Firstly, thyroid nodules and lung nodules occur in different organs. Lung nodules are mostly caused by inhalation of dust, pollutants, or smoke. Thyroid nodules, on the other hand, often result from genetic factors, or issues with the patient’s own constitution leading to the formation of these nodules. Most lung nodules can be classified as benign or malignant through diagnostic tests, whereas it is often difficult to assess the nature of thyroid nodules with standard tests. Additional auxiliary examinations, such as PET-CT or SPECT, and biopsy pathology are needed to determine the nature of thyroid nodules. Therefore, the approaches to observing and handling these two types of nodules are entirely different, and they cannot be compared.
How long does thyroid nodule surgery take?
This depends on individual circumstances. Generally, when performing thyroid surgery, there are two methods: open and minimally invasive, though the treatment procedures are largely similar. For nodules, we first need to determine their nature. If they are benign, then removal within a certain range during surgery may suffice. However, if intraoperative freezing suggests malignancy, then we face the issue of lymph node dissection, which could significantly prolong the duration of the surgery.
How to treat thyroid nodules calcification.
The treatment of thyroid nodule calcification in clinical practice is based on the size of the calcification lesions. Because large calcified thyroid nodules have a very small possibility of malignancy, the routine clinical approach is to continue observation and perform cytological examination through thyroid fine-needle aspiration. For small calcified thyroid nodules, which have a higher likelihood of malignancy, active surgical treatment is usually adopted. During surgery, the next steps of the treatment plan are determined based on the pathological findings.
Thyroid nodule surgery risks
The hazards of thyroid surgery actually refer to the risks involved in thyroid surgery. Thyroid surgery is now a common treatment method. The main risks of thyroid surgery include anesthesia on one hand, and postoperative bleeding on the other. There might be a need for a second incision for decompression. The most common complications are choking while drinking water and hoarseness of voice, mainly due to the involvement or damage to relevant nerves during the surgery. Generally, these complications resolve after a period of adjustment, and most people can recover normally.
Post-thyroidectomy complications
In clinical practice, for large thyroid nodules that cause compressive symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing, breathlessness, and hoarseness, thyroid nodule excision surgery can be performed. However, this surgery can have sequelae. First, if the excised thyroid tissue is too large, it can easily lead to reduced thyroid function, requiring lifelong supplementation with thyroid hormones for treatment. Secondly, due to the sensitive location of the thyroid gland, which is surrounded by various glands and nerves, injury during surgery can lead to complications such as seizures and hoarseness, which are considered post-surgical sequelae.
The difference between thyroid nodules and nodular goiter
Thyroid nodules are the clinical manifestations of nodular goiter, and nodular goiter is the cause of thyroid nodules. Nodular goiter generally occurs in iodine-deficient areas, forming these partial or multiple thyroid nodules. Thyroid nodules are the clinical manifestations of nodular goiter; the nodules in the thyroid can be single or multiple and can cause abnormal thyroid function, although thyroid function can also be normal in the early stages. Therefore, when performing an ultrasound, if thyroid nodules are discovered, it is necessary to further assess thyroid function and dynamically track changes in the size of the thyroid nodules to determine whether it is nodular goiter.
Can thyroid nodules be treated?
It depends on the situation. For some patients, we can evaluate whether thyroid nodules are accompanied by changes in thyroid function. If there is an overactive thyroid, antithyroid treatment is necessary. If there is underactive thyroid function, appropriate thyroid hormone supplementation is needed, and some patients' nodules can shrink. Additionally, for some thyroid nodules, if there are no accompanying changes in thyroid function, and the nodules are assessed as benign through ultrasound and other evaluations, no special treatment is generally needed. It is recommended to monitor thyroid ultrasound and function every six months to a year. Furthermore, if some thyroid nodules grow rapidly or there is a potential for cancerous changes, or if there are significant compressive symptoms, we can also perform a fine needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid cells, or surgical treatment. Therefore, whether thyroid nodules can be treated also depends on the situation.