Will thyroid cysts become malignant?

Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
Updated on August 31, 2024
00:00
00:00

The formation mechanism of thyroid cysts may be due to the expansive growth of nodules, which compresses the venous vessels causing circulatory disturbances. This leads to tissue ischemia and atrophic degeneration, resulting in congestion and edema. Fluid accumulates to form cysts. Cysts formed through regressive changes in nodules can involve the entire nodule turning cystic or only partial cystic changes, thus forming masses that are partly solid and partly cystic. In thyroid cancer, cysts can also form due to necrosis, hemorrhage, and liquefaction. Therefore, thyroid cysts can also be cancerous. For this reason, regular observation and follow-up of thyroid cysts are necessary. If there is any indication of malignant transformation in a thyroid cyst, timely treatment is required.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
1min 1sec home-news-image

Can thyroid cysts eat kelp?

It is recommended to eat in moderation. Thyroid cysts are one of the common benign occupational lesions of the thyroid gland. The growth of cysts is very slow, and generally, there are no uncomfortable clinical symptoms. Occasionally, when there is bleeding within the cyst, there can be local pain and a rapid increase in the size of the mass. The cause of thyroid cysts is not yet very clear, and it may be related to iodine metabolism. Some scholars believe it is related to iodine deficiency, while others think it is related to excessive iodine intake. Seaweed contains a very high amount of iodine. It is advisable to eat seaweed appropriately, but it is not recommended to eat seaweed daily. Eating seaweed daily can lead to an excessive intake of iodine, which might further develop the thyroid cyst or cause multiple thyroid cysts to appear.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
40sec home-news-image

Do thyroid cysts hurt?

Thyroid cysts sometimes hurt and sometimes do not. A thyroid cyst refers to a round, fluid-containing cystic structure found in the thyroid, generally 2-5 centimeters in diameter, smooth, usually painless or with mild pain, and can move up and down with swallowing. If the cyst is large or there is bleeding inside the cyst, it may cause some compressive symptoms such as pain, difficulty swallowing, breathing difficulties, and hoarseness. Therefore, whether a thyroid cyst is painful generally depends on the size of the cyst and whether there is bleeding inside it.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Lin Xiang Dong
Endocrinology
47sec home-news-image

How to treat thyroid cysts?

Thyroid cysts refer to fluid-filled sacs found in the thyroid, generally round in shape and varying in size, with no significant clinical symptoms. They can appear as a single nodule or multiple nodules. Typically, when thyroid cysts are detected, high-resolution thyroid ultrasonography can be used to observe their ultrasonographic appearance. Thyroid cysts are generally considered benign thyroid nodules and usually do not require treatment. Regular follow-up with thyroid ultrasound is sufficient. If the thyroid cyst is too large and causes compressive symptoms, such as difficulty in breathing or swallowing, hoarseness, etc., surgical removal can be considered.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Lang Bo
Endocrinology
49sec home-news-image

Which department should I go to for a thyroid cyst?

It is generally recommended to see a general surgeon, or an endocrinologist, as thyroid cysts are usually benign tumors that essentially remain stable in nature. Surgery is only considered when the cyst becomes very large and causes compressive symptoms, such as compressing the trachea leading to breathing difficulties, or compressing the esophagus causing difficulty swallowing. In such cases, you should consult a general surgeon. For a typical thyroid cyst, it is necessary to check thyroid function to ensure it is normal and to regularly review with ultrasound to monitor any changes in the cyst. If there is a sudden increase in size or significant compressive symptoms, it is advisable to seek surgical treatment from a surgeon.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
40sec home-news-image

What should I do if a thyroid cyst causes a fever?

Thyroid cysts are one of the most common benign masses found in the thyroid gland. Generally, they do not become cancerous and usually have no clinical symptoms; therefore, thyroid cysts themselves do not cause fever. If a patient with a thyroid cyst develops a fever, it is important to consider whether there might be a concurrent infectious disease. If there is pain in the area of the thyroid, it is necessary to evaluate for conditions such as thyroiditis or a thyroid abscess. A simple thyroid cyst alone would not cause a fever.