Will thyroid cysts become malignant?

Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
Updated on August 31, 2024
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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.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
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Can thyroid cysts be treated with minimally invasive surgery?

When the cyst is smaller than 5cm, minimally invasive treatment can be used. Thyroid cysts are generally benign lesions and rarely become malignant. A thyroid cyst refers to a fluid-containing cystic structure in the thyroid, commonly known as a blister. This blister can be large or small, and is usually asymptomatic when small. For its treatment, when the cyst is smaller than 5cm, a minimally invasive procedure involving fine needle aspiration can be performed to withdraw fluid from the cyst, followed by the injection of anhydrous alcohol to close off the cyst cavity and prevent recurrence. However, if the cyst is larger than 5cm, surgical treatment is recommended for complete removal.

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Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
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What should I do about a thyroid cyst?

What should I do if I have a thyroid cyst? First, we need to understand what a thyroid cyst is. A thyroid cyst refers to a fluid-filled sac found in the thyroid gland. Generally, patients with thyroid cysts do not show any clinical symptoms in the early stages. Some discover a lump accidentally, usually without systemic symptoms. Individual patients may exhibit symptoms such as hyperthyroidism, and some with a longer disease course can also experience hypothyroidism, such as fatigue, poor appetite, constipation, and edema. Therefore, when diagnosed with a thyroid cyst, it is crucial to determine whether the cyst is benign or malignant and whether it affects thyroid function. If it does impact function, symptomatic treatment is necessary. Of course, most thyroid cysts are benign and can be monitored over time.

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Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
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Foods to avoid with thyroid cysts

For patients with thyroid cysts, it is necessary to first understand the patient's thyroid function, whether it is normal, overactive, or underactive. For patients with thyroid cysts who also have hyperthyroidism, a diet avoiding iodine is still necessary, as excessive iodine intake can significantly affect their hyperthyroid condition, therefore they need to consume iodine-free food. However, for patients with normal thyroid function or those with hypothyroidism, a normal diet is appropriate, and there is no need to avoid iodine. It is also recommended that they avoid smoking and alcohol in their daily life.

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Written by Zhang Li
Endocrinology
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Does thyroid cyst affect pregnancy?

Thyroid cysts generally do not affect pregnancy because they are merely morphological changes, meaning enlarged cystic nodules found in the thyroid. These nodules are typically fluid-filled and often non-functional, so they do not significantly impact pregnancy. However, since the thyroid can develop such cystic nodules or cysts, there might also be some functional manifestations. In other words, there could be both cysts and other thyroid function issues concurrently, which might affect pregnancy. Therefore, when thyroid issues are detected, it is necessary to undergo thyroid function tests before planning a pregnancy to determine whether it is safe to conceive and if there will be any impact on pregnancy.

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Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
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Symptoms of thyroid cysts

Regarding the symptoms of thyroid cysts, typically, patients with thyroid cysts do not experience any discomfort in the early stages. Often, a neck mass is incidentally discovered during a physical examination, and usually, there are no systemic clinical symptoms. Some patients may experience slight pain. Of course, if the cyst is large or there is bleeding within the cyst, it may lead to symptoms of compression, such as pain, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, or hoarseness. Additionally, some thyroid cysts can affect thyroid function. For instance, if there is hyperthyroidism, symptoms may include heat intolerance, excessive sweating, and weight loss. Conversely, in long-term cases, patients may experience symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as cold intolerance, fatigue, constipation, and poor appetite.