Symptoms of thyroid cysts

Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
Updated on September 18, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
54sec home-news-image

Will thyroid cysts recur after surgery?

Thyroid cysts refer to fluid-filled sac-like structures that occur in the thyroid gland. Typically, thyroid cysts do not exhibit any clinical symptoms. However, if they continue to grow, there is a risk of bleeding within the cyst. Therefore, when the cyst is larger than 3 centimeters, surgical treatment is often recommended. Generally, surgical removal is quite safe and reliable, and the prognosis after surgery is usually good with a low risk of recurrence. However, there is still a chance of recurrence, and if it recurs, surgery can be conducted again. Hence, thyroid cysts are relatively mild and benign lesions. If the cyst is smaller than 3 centimeters, alcohol sclerotherapy can also be performed.

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 Luo Juan
Endocrinology
1min 30sec home-news-image

Are thyroid cysts dangerous?

Generally speaking, thyroid cysts are benign lesions and are not dangerous. First, let's understand what thyroid cysts are. A thyroid cyst is a fluid-containing cystic formation found in the thyroid gland. Typically, the lump is round, smooth, painless, or may cause slight pain, and can move up and down with swallowing. Most cysts are solitary nodules, and it is less common to find multiple nodules. Additionally, if the cyst is large or if there is bleeding within the cyst, it can cause symptoms of compression such as pain, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, and hoarseness. We know that about 10% of cystic nodules are malignant, hence, it is important to understand the nature of a thyroid cyst. If it is malignant, surgical removal is necessary. Furthermore, if the nodular cyst is large and causes compression symptoms, surgery is also required. However, most are benign lesions, and thyroid function is within the normal range, so no special treatment is needed, just follow-up observation. Therefore, whether thyroid cysts are dangerous depends on the circumstances.

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

How to treat thyroid cystic tumors?

Thyroid cysts refer to fluid-filled sac-like formations or lumps found in the thyroid, generally round in shape, typically painless or only mildly painful, and move up and down with swallowing. Most are solitary nodules, with multiple nodules being less common. Most thyroid cysts do not exhibit obvious clinical symptoms unless the cyst is large or there is bleeding within the cyst, which may lead to symptoms of compression such as pain, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, and hoarseness. Therefore, the treatment of thyroid cysts primarily involves understanding their nature. If a thyroid cyst is malignant, prompt surgical removal should be undertaken; if benign, generally it is sufficient to monitor the cyst through follow-up observations.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
44sec home-news-image

Which is more serious, thyroid cysts or nodules?

Thyroid cysts are generally benign lesions without significant clinical symptoms. When the cysts are larger, they may cause local compressive symptoms but generally do not develop into cancer. Thyroid nodules can be benign or malignant; primarily, an assessment of the nodule is conducted to determine its nature. If the nodule is nonfunctional and benign, the condition is usually minor. If the nodule is functional, such as a hyperfunctioning adenoma, it can have a more significant impact on the body. If ultrasound evaluation of the nodule leans towards malignancy, the severity of the nodule is considered greater, and surgical treatment is needed.