Is thyroid cyst calcification serious?

Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
Updated on May 11, 2025
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Is severe calcification of a thyroid cyst serious? It depends on the situation. Firstly, a thyroid cyst is not an independent disease; it develops from a simple goiter, nodular goiter, or regressive changes in a thyroid adenoma, some of which may be due to bleeding or necrosis caused by thyroid cancer, forming a thyroid cyst. Therefore, a thyroid cyst could potentially be a malignant indicator. Moreover, the calcification of thyroid cysts mainly depends on the description of the calcification. For instance, some are fine punctate microcalcifications, which are less than or equal to 1mm, while others are larger, coarse calcifications larger than 1mm, and there are even some annular calcifications. Thus, thyroid cyst calcification is not necessarily cancerous, and the likelihood of malignancy varies with each type of calcification, generally, the potential for malignancy is microcalcification greater than coarse calcification, greater than annular calcification. Therefore, whether calcification of a thyroid cyst is serious mainly depends on whether it is a malignant lesion.

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Written by Chen Xie
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Do thyroid cysts require medication?

Patients with thyroid cysts who have normal thyroid function do not need oral medication treatment; they only need regular monitoring of thyroid function and thyroid ultrasound. However, patients with thyroid cysts accompanied by hyperthyroidism need to be treated for hyperthyroidism, either with oral medication, iodine-131, or surgery. When thyroid cysts are accompanied by hypothyroidism, oral hormone replacement treatment is also required to bring the thyroid function back to normal levels. Therefore, whether patients with thyroid cysts need medication depends on the results of their thyroid function tests.

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Can you get pregnant with a thyroid cyst?

Thyroid cysts refer to sac-like formations within the thyroid gland that contain fluid, typically benign with rare cases of malignancy. The fluid inside these cysts, also known as blisters, has no secretory function and does not affect thyroid function, making it possible to become pregnant with a thyroid cyst. However, it is important to note that during pregnancy, if the cyst rapidly enlarges or if there is localized pain, it could be due to bleeding inside the cyst which requires urgent treatment. Aspiration of the cyst fluid can be done through fine needle aspiration to relieve pressure, and ethanol ablation can be used to close the cyst cavity. This minor surgery is generally tolerable and does not affect pregnancy.

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Written by Luo Han Ying
Endocrinology
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The difference between thyroid cysts and nodules

Thyroid cysts are a benign change in the thyroid, and are generally classified as first or second level in clinical analysis. Thyroid nodules may be solid or may have mixed echogenicity. The biggest difference between a thyroid nodule and a cyst is their composition: cysts usually contain fluid, whereas nodules may contain other substances. Secondly, the vast majority of cysts are benign, classified as sub-level. Nodules, however, may potentially be malignant, and are classified as third, fourth, or even fifth level. If it is a thyroid cyst, there is no need for excessive worry. If it is a thyroid nodule, it is crucial to complete an ultrasound classification and then schedule regular follow-up exams.

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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.

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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.