How to treat thyroid nodules

Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
Updated on June 17, 2025
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The treatment of thyroid nodules first requires assessing the functionality of the thyroid nodules, determining whether they are functional or non-functional tumors. This requires a blood test to check thyroid function. The second step is to assess the malignancy of the thyroid nodules, whether they are benign or malignant. The treatment methods differ accordingly. The main tool for differentiation is the color Doppler ultrasound. If the color Doppler ultrasound indicates a benign nodule and the nodule is small, less than four centimeters, it can be observed dynamically. However, if it indicates a malignant nodule, then prompt surgical treatment is necessary.

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Written by Hu Jian Zhuo
Nephrology and Endocrinology
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Is thyroid nodule ablation a good treatment?

Thyroid nodule ablation has its advantages over traditional surgery, but it also has its shortcomings. The advantages include minimal trauma, less bleeding, and less pain for the patient. Ablation involves inserting an ablation needle through the skin of the patient's neck, directly into the tumor to perform the ablation with the goal of eliminating the nodule. Since it does not require cutting, it reduces damage to surrounding tissues and bleeding, allowing the patient to resume activities earlier and reduce suffering. However, the drawback is that ablation is effective for smaller benign thyroid masses, but for complex or malignant thyroid nodules, the treatment effectiveness is poor, and its use is not advocated.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
48sec home-news-image

How to treat thyroid nodules

The treatment of thyroid nodules first requires assessing the functionality of the thyroid nodules, determining whether they are functional or non-functional tumors. This requires a blood test to check thyroid function. The second step is to assess the malignancy of the thyroid nodules, whether they are benign or malignant. The treatment methods differ accordingly. The main tool for differentiation is the color Doppler ultrasound. If the color Doppler ultrasound indicates a benign nodule and the nodule is small, less than four centimeters, it can be observed dynamically. However, if it indicates a malignant nodule, then prompt surgical treatment is necessary.

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Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
1min 9sec home-news-image

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.

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Written by Zhang Jun Jun
Endocrinology
1min 10sec home-news-image

"Malignant thyroid nodules" means what?

Thyroid nodules are assessed under ultrasound with a grading system, and if rated at level three or higher, they tend to be more likely to be malignant. The most common malignancy in thyroid nodules is thyroid cancer. Among all types of tumors, thyroid cancer tends to grow slowly and is relatively less malignant. Therefore, if an ultrasound suggests a high likelihood of malignancy in a thyroid nodule, further examinations should be conducted. This can include a fine needle aspiration biopsy, thyroid contrast-enhanced ultrasound, or even direct surgical removal of the malignant nodule for further pathological examination to determine whether it is benign or malignant. Since the degree of malignancy of thyroid nodules is relatively low compared to other malignant tumors, a high grading score on a thyroid nodule should not be overly worrying. It is advisable to proceed with formal medical checks and regular follow-ups, as the five-year survival rate is quite high, exceeding 80%.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Thyroid nodule calcification meaning

In our thyroid ultrasound, terms like thyroid nodule calcification are often seen. Thyroid nodule calcification is a form of self-healing. It can be divided into large and small nodule calcifications. Generally, large nodule calcifications have a very low proportion of malignancy. The possibility of malignancy in smaller calcifications is relatively higher. When we see a report indicating thyroid nodule calcification, there is no need to panic. We can consult specialists such as thyroid surgeons, who will tell you how to distinguish between benign and malignant conditions. I recommend performing thyroid cytological puncture, which, through pathological examination, can determine whether the thyroid nodule calcification is benign or malignant.