Is a grade two thyroid cyst serious?

Written by Yang Li
Endocrinology
Updated on September 03, 2024
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Thyroid cysts at Grade 2A are generally not very serious. If we consider supporting points for severity in the thyroid, finding one example is considered as first-level evidence, while finding one plus another one counts as second-level evidence. Generally speaking, once it reaches Grade 4A and above, attention needs to be paid as it suggests a malignancy, indicating a higher possibility of malignancy. If it’s below 4A, at Grade 3 and below, it typically suggests a greater likelihood of benign lesions. In such cases, it is recommended to follow up dynamically and definitely conduct an ultrasonic contrast examination.

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Can thyroid cysts become cancerous?

Thyroid cysts can potentially become cancerous. Initially, thyroid cysts may arise from various thyroid diseases such as nodular goiter, Hashimoto's disease, thyroid adenoma, and thyroid follicular cancer, which form through degeneration, liquefaction, and hemorrhage. They are one of the common diseases of the thyroid. In the population, at least 4% of people can feel thyroid nodules larger than one centimeter. Among these nodules, about 5% to 20% are cystic. Statistics show that even benign lesions causing cysts have a 4%-5% chance of becoming cancerous when the diameter of the individual exceeds 4 centimeters. Therefore, thyroid cysts can potentially become cancerous.

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Can people with thyroid cysts eat seaweed?

Thyroid cysts generally do not show any symptoms clinically and are mostly benign. They are usually solitary, but occasionally multiple cysts could be present. Currently, the exact cause of thyroid cysts is not completely understood. Some scholars believe that the formation of thyroid cysts is related to iodine deficiency. Others suggest that in areas with a high incidence of thyroid cysts, the iodine content is also relatively high, indicating that both exceptionally low or high levels of iodine could potentially be a cause of thyroid cysts. Seaweed is a food high in iodine. Eating seaweed occasionally should not have a significant impact, but consuming seaweed daily could lead to excessive iodine levels in the body, which is not advisable during periods of thyroid cyst affliction.

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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.

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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.

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Will thyroid cysts become malignant?

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.