Should I be worried about multiple thyroid nodules?
The vast majority — more than 95% — of thyroid nodules are benign (noncancerous). If concern arises about the possibility of cancer, the doctor may simply recommend monitoring the nodule over time to see if it grows. Ultrasound can help evaluate a thyroid nodule and determine the need for biopsy.
What does it mean when you have multiple nodules on your thyroid?
A multinodular goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland containing multiple nodules. Most often, these nodules are benign. As above, these only require treatment if you are experiencing compressive or hyperthyroid symptoms, or if one or more of the nodules is suspicious for thyroid cancer.
Does multiple thyroid nodules mean cancer?
Most thyroid nodules are benign, but about 2 or 3 in 20 are cancerous. Sometimes these nodules make too much thyroid hormone and cause hyperthyroidism. Nodules that produce too much thyroid hormone are almost always benign. People can develop thyroid nodules at any age, but they occur most commonly in older adults.
What percentage of multinodular goiters are cancerous?
Up to 20 percent of people with multinodular goiters will also develop thyroid cancer. Approximately 1.2 percent of the general population in the United States will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer at some point in their life, so multinodular goiters do increase your odds of developing this type of cancer.
Can nodules on thyroid make you tired?
Older people with a nodule that produces too much thyroid hormone may have only vague symptoms, including: Fatigue.
Should a multinodular goiter be removed?
Most patients need no treatment. Occasionally, surgery to remove all or most of the thyroid can be carried out, particularly if a multinodular goitre is large and the patient feels it is unsightly. However, removing a normally functioning gland can leave a patient requiring thyroxine for life.
What is the treatment for multiple thyroid nodules?
Nodules that produce too much T3 and T4 may be treated in several ways: radioactive iodine, alcohol ablation, or surgery to remove the nodule and thus cure the excess hormone production. Radioactive iodine is given as a pill and causes the thyroid gland to shrink and make less thyroid hormone.
Does multinodular goiter need biopsy?
If a multinodular goiter has a predominant nodule, the predominant nodule should be biopsied. In conclusion, FNA of the thyroid is a safe, inexpensive, and effective way to distinguish a benign from a malignant nodule and usually should be the first diagnostic test performed.
Do thyroid nodules cause weight gain?
Most people who have thyroid nodules lead a normal life. You might need to check in with your doctor more often, but there usually are no complications. If you do have complications, they can include problems swallowing or breathing. You may also sustain significant weight gain or weight loss.
What does multinodular thyroid mean?
Multinodular goiter. The term goiter is used to describe any enlargement of the thyroid gland, which can be caused by iodine deficiency or a thyroid disorder. A multinodular goiter contains multiple distinct nodules within the goiter, but its cause is less clear. Thyroid cancer. The chances that a nodule is cancerous are small.
Are multiple thyroid nodules normal?
The concern often surrounds the presence of cancer but most thyroid nodules are not cancerous. Thyroid nodules may appear as the single nodule (solitary) or multiple nodules. Sometimes with multiple nodules, there may be a single nodule that is larger than the rest and this is known as the dominant nodule.
What size thyroid nodule should be removed?
all nodules > 4 cm should be removed. The results of this study, however, show that thyroid nodule size ≥4 cm does not increase the risk of false negative biopsy results or the overall risk of cancer. — M. Regina Castro, MD ATA THYROID BROCHURE LINKS. Thyroid Nodules: http://www.thyroid.org/ what-are-thyroid-nodules
Are complex thyroid nodules usually cancerous?
Thyroid Nodules are usually Benign and Not Cancerous The good news is that most people with thyroid nodules do not and will not get thyroid cancer. The bad news is that a thyroid nodule is not normal and may be associated with other conditions of your thyroid gland.