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'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Thyroid nodule|here]]'''
{{Thyroid nodule (patient information)}}
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== Overview ==
== Overview ==
A thyroid nodule is a growth (lump) in the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located at the base of the neck.
A [[thyroid nodule]] is a [[growth]] ([[lump]]) in the [[thyroid gland]]. The [[thyroid gland]] is located at the base of the [[neck]].


== What are the symptoms of Thyroid nodule? ==
== What are the symptoms of thyroid nodule? ==
Most thyroid nodules do not cause symptoms.
Most [[Thyroid nodule|thyroid nodules]] do not cause [[symptoms]].


* Large nodules can press against other structures in the neck, causing symptoms such as:
* Large nodules can press against other structures in the [[neck]], causing [[symptoms]] such as:
** Goiter or an enlarged thyroid gland or lump(s) in the neck
** [[Goiter]] or an enlarged [[thyroid gland]] or [[lump]](s) in the [[neck]]
** Hoarseness or changing voice
** [[Hoarseness]] or changing voice
** Pain in the neck
** [[Pain]] in the [[neck]]
** Problems breathing
** Problems [[breathing]]
** Problems swallowing
** Problems [[swallowing]]


* Nodules that produce thyroid hormones will likely cause symptoms of overactive thyroid gland, including:
* Nodules that produce [[thyroid hormones]] will likely cause [[symptoms]] of overactive [[thyroid gland]], including:
** Clammy skin
** [[Cool extremities|Clammy]] [[skin]]
** Fast pulse
** Fast [[pulse]]
** Increased appetite
** Increased [[appetite]]
** Nervousness
** [[Nervousness]]
** Restlessness
** [[Restlessness]]
** Skin blushing or flushing
** [[Skin]] [[blushing]] or [[flushing]]
** Weight loss
** [[Weight loss]]


* Thyroid nodules are sometimes found in people who have Hashimoto's disease, which may cause symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland, such as:
* [[Thyroid nodule|Thyroid nodules]] are sometimes found in people who have [[Hashimoto's thyroiditis|Hashimoto's]] disease, which may cause [[symptoms]] of an underactive [[thyroid gland]], such as:
** Dry skin
** [[Xeroderma|Dry skin]]
** Face swelling
** Face [[swelling]]
** Fatigue
** [[Fatigue]]
** Hair loss
** [[Alopecia|Hair loss]]
** Intolerance to cold
** Intolerance to cold
** Weight gain
** [[Weight gain]]


== What causes Thyroid nodule? ==
== What causes thyroid nodule? ==
Thyroid nodules are growths of cells in the thyroid gland. These growths can be:
[[Thyroid nodule|Thyroid nodules]] are growths of cells in the [[thyroid gland]]. These growths can be:
* Not cancer (benign) or thyroid cancer
* Not [[cancer]] ([[benign]]) or [[thyroid cancer]]
* Fluid-filled (cysts) or made up of thyroid gland cells
* Fluid-filled ([[cysts]]) or made up of [[thyroid gland]] [[Cell (biology)|cells]]
* One nodule or a group of small nodules
* One nodule or a group of small nodules


Causes of thyroid nodules are not always found, but can include:
Causes of [[Thyroid nodule|thyroid nodules]] are not always found, but can include:
* Hashimoto's disease
* [[Hashimoto's disease]]
* Lack of iron in the diet
* Lack of [[iron]] in the [[Diet (nutrition)|diet]]


== Who is at highest risk? ==
== Who is at highest risk? ==
Only a few [[Thyroid nodule|thyroid nodules]] are due to [[thyroid cancer]]. A thyroid nodule is more likely to be [[cancer]] if it is
* Hard [[Nodule (medicine)|nodule]]
* [[Nodule (medicine)|Nodule]] that is stuck to nearby structures
* [[Family history]] of [[thyroid cancer]]
* [[Hoarseness|Hoarse voice]]
* Younger than 20 or older than 70
* History of [[Radiation therapy|radiation]] exposure to the [[head]] or [[neck]]
* [[Male]] gender


== Diagnosis ==
== Diagnosis ==
Very often, nodules produce no [[symptoms]]. Doctors will find [[Thyroid nodule|thyroid nodules]] only during a routine [[physical exam]] or imaging tests that are done for another reason. However, [[Thyroid nodule|thyroid nodules]] that are big enough to feel during a [[physical exam]] occur in a few people.
If the doctor finds a nodule or you have [[symptoms]] of a nodule, the following tests may be done:
* [[TSH]] level and other [[Thyroid function tests|thyroid blood tests]]
* [[Thyroid]] [[ultrasound]]
* [[Radioactive iodine uptake|Thyroid scan]]
* [[Fine needle aspiration|Fine needle aspiration biopsy]]


== When to seek urgent medical care? ==
== When to seek urgent medical care? ==
* Call your health care provider if you feel or see a [[lump]] in your [[neck]], or if you experience any [[symptoms]] of a [[thyroid nodule]].
* If you have been exposed to [[Radiation therapy|radiation]] in the [[face]] or [[neck]] area, call your health care provider. A [[neck]] [[ultrasound]] can be done to look for [[Thyroid nodule|thyroid nodules]].


== Treatment options ==
== Treatment options ==
(a) Health care provider may recommend [[surgery]] to remove all or part of your [[thyroid gland]] if the [[Nodule (medicine)|nodule]] is:
* Believed to be making too much [[thyroid hormone]]
* Causing [[symptoms]] such as [[swallowing]] or [[breathing]] problems
* Due to [[thyroid cancer]]
* Not able to be diagnosed as [[cancer]] or not [[cancer]]
(b) Patients with [[Nodule (medicine)|nodules]] that are making too much [[thyroid hormone]] may be treated with [[radioactive iodine]]. This treatment reduces the size and activity of the [[Nodule (medicine)|nodule]]. Pregnant women should not be given this treatment.
(c) Both [[surgery]] to remove [[thyroid gland]] [[Tissue (biology)|tissue]] and [[radioactive iodine]] treatment carry risks of long-term [[thyroid]] problems.


== Where to find medical care for Thyroid nodule? ==
(d) For non-[[cancerous]] nodules that do not cause [[symptoms]] and are not growing, the best treatment may be:
* Careful follow-up with a [[physical exam]] and [[ultrasound]]
* A [[thyroid]] [[biopsy]] repeated 6 - 12 months after diagnosis, especially if the nodule has grown
* Another possible treatment is [[ethanol]] ([[alcohol]]) injection into the [[Nodule (medicine)|nodule]] to shrink it.


== Prevention of Thyroid nodule ==
== Where to find medical care for thyroid nodule? ==
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Thyroid nodule}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Thyroid nodule]


== What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)? ==
== What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)? ==
Non-[[cancerous]] [[thyroid]] nodules are not life threatening. Many do not require treatment. Follow-up exams are enough.


== Possible complications ==
The outlook for [[thyroid cancer]] depends on the type of [[cancer]].


== Sources ==
== Sources ==
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007265.htm


== References ==
== References ==

Latest revision as of 14:51, 24 October 2017


For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Thyroid nodule

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Who is at highest risk?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Thyroid nodule?

Prevention

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Thyroid nodule On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Thyroid nodule

Videos on Thyroid nodule

FDA on Thyroid nodule

CDC on Thyroid nodule

Thyroid nodule in the news

Blogs on Thyroid nodule

Directions to Hospitals Treating Thyroid nodule

Risk calculators and risk factors for Thyroid nodule

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [2]

Overview

A thyroid nodule is a growth (lump) in the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located at the base of the neck.

What are the symptoms of thyroid nodule?

Most thyroid nodules do not cause symptoms.

What causes thyroid nodule?

Thyroid nodules are growths of cells in the thyroid gland. These growths can be:

Causes of thyroid nodules are not always found, but can include:

Who is at highest risk?

Only a few thyroid nodules are due to thyroid cancer. A thyroid nodule is more likely to be cancer if it is

Diagnosis

Very often, nodules produce no symptoms. Doctors will find thyroid nodules only during a routine physical exam or imaging tests that are done for another reason. However, thyroid nodules that are big enough to feel during a physical exam occur in a few people.

If the doctor finds a nodule or you have symptoms of a nodule, the following tests may be done:

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

(a) Health care provider may recommend surgery to remove all or part of your thyroid gland if the nodule is:

(b) Patients with nodules that are making too much thyroid hormone may be treated with radioactive iodine. This treatment reduces the size and activity of the nodule. Pregnant women should not be given this treatment.

(c) Both surgery to remove thyroid gland tissue and radioactive iodine treatment carry risks of long-term thyroid problems.

(d) For non-cancerous nodules that do not cause symptoms and are not growing, the best treatment may be:

Where to find medical care for thyroid nodule?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Thyroid nodule

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Non-cancerous thyroid nodules are not life threatening. Many do not require treatment. Follow-up exams are enough.

The outlook for thyroid cancer depends on the type of cancer.

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007265.htm

References