How to treat thyroid nodules calcification.

Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
Updated on March 10, 2025
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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.

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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.

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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.

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Thyroid Nodule Classification Standard

To standardize the diagnosis of thyroid diseases, we have categorized thyroid nodules into six levels, with the severity and the likelihood of malignancy increasing with each level: Grade 1 refers to normal thyroid tissue; Grade 2 indicates benign changes in the thyroid, with the risk of malignancy increasing over time. For example, simple thyroid cysts, which require an ultrasound check every 1-2 years; Grade 3 refers to the presence of nodules in the thyroid with a malignancy possibility of

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Are thyroid nodules serious?

The severity of thyroid nodules needs to be assessed based on their nature, size, function, and location. Generally, they can be classified into benign and malignant, with malignant nodules being thyroid cancer, which requires timely treatment. Surgical treatment is the main method for treating thyroid cancer, whereas most benign nodules do not require special handling. Regarding the size of the thyroid nodules, if the nodules are too large and compress surrounding tissues such as the trachea, esophagus, and nerves, surgical treatment is recommended. For common benign nodules, regular observation is sufficient. Functionally, some thyroid nodules may affect thyroid function, such as in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which can present with diffuse multiple nodules, leading to either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. In such cases, appropriate medication treatment is needed. From a positional perspective, ectopic growth of thyroid nodules, if located at areas like the base of the ear, pharynx, neck, esophagus, or thoracic cavity, is a rare congenital developmental anomaly. If such a nodule significantly enlarges and compresses surrounding tissues, surgical treatment is advised.

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Probability of thyroid nodules becoming cancerous

The malignant manifestation of thyroid nodules is thyroid cancer. Thus, thyroid nodules are divided into two major categories: benign and malignant. Benign nodules generally make up the vast majority, with malignancies accounting for less than 5%. Malignant thyroid nodules are cancerous. Some benign thyroid nodules may also become malignant over time. Generally, small nodules do not show obvious clinical symptoms during the cancerous transformation, but their nature changes. When a nodule compresses surrounding tissues and causes certain symptoms, such as hoarseness, tracheal compression, and difficulty swallowing, it often indicates that the tumor is in the middle or late stage. Overall, the chances of benign nodules becoming cancerous are very small. The malignancy rate of benign nodular goiter is about 5%, and the possibility of adenomas turning malignant is around 10%. As the diameter increases, the possibility of adenomas becoming malignant gradually increases. There are several high-risk factors for the malignant transformation of thyroid nodules: for instance, having a history of radiation exposure to the head and neck area during childhood or adolescence, patients who are younger than 14 or older than 70; the rate of malignant transformation of thyroid nodules significantly increases; and the rate of malignant transformation in male nodules is significantly higher than in females. Also, patients whose nodules significantly increase in size in a short period during regular check-ups are also considered high-risk for malignancy.