The nodule of the thyroid is a small painless mass, most often discovered during an ultrasound of the neck or by palpation. Is it serious? Cancerous? What symptoms? Treatment ?
A thyroid nodule (or thyroid nodule) is A size located in the thyroid gland. Most of the time, this nodule is painless And does not cause a symptom. It is often discovered by chance during a palpation of the neck or an imaging examination. The nodules are very common in the general population (up to 50 % of people in ultrasound)especially in women, and their frequency increases with age, indicates the High Authority for Health. Can he evolve in cancer? How to treat it?
What is the definition of a thyroid nodule?
The nodule is a small mass Located on the thyroid while a goiter concerns the entire thyroid gland which is in this case increased in volume. The thyroidgland located under Adam’s apple at the base of the neck, at the front of the trachea, synthesized Thyroid hormones, T3 and T4essential to the regulation of the most important functions of the organism: regulation of heart rate, body temperature, digestive tract, nervous system, genital system. The hormones produced are synthesized from iodine from food. 5 to 20 % of the population has a thyroid nodule measuring more than 1 cm and that can be observed during a palpation. They are about 4 times more frequent in women.
Can a thyroid nodule evolve in cancer?
In at least 90 % of cases, the nodules are mild and require, at the end of a balance sheet, only a simple surveillance. The discovery of a nodule requires, without emergency, a consultation with your attending physician which will collect certain useful information for the exploration of this nodule. He will question you, especially on your history, palpate your neck to determine the characteristics of the nodule (hardness, mobility, size) and look for abnormal nodes. At this stage, a blood test to dose thyreostimulin (TSH) and an ultrasound of the thyroid will be requested. The ultrasound will make it possible to explore the thyroid, to determine the location of the nodules, their size, their characteristics and to possibly identify an evocative aspect of cancer (very rare). In 5 to 10 % of cases, nodules can correspond to cancer. These are generally unclear cancers, not very aggressive, of slow evolution.
There are several types of thyroid nodules.
- THE colloidal nodule represents the most common form consisting of normal cells.
- THE cystsmostly mild, are formations filled with liquid which can reach several centimeters in diameter. An inflammatory nodule may most often appear in people with thyroidite.
- The nodule can also be linked to a adenomabenign tumor, which evolves slowly.
What are the symptoms of a thyroid nodule?
“”The vast majority of thyroid nodules do not have any symptoms. Most being discovered during an ultrasound of the neck, more rarely during the palpation of the neck by the doctor during a consultation“explains Doctor Scheimman, endocrinologist If the nodule produces too many thyroid hormonesit is then manifested by signs of hyperthyroidism: weight loss, heart palpitations, sleep disorders, muscle weakness, diarrhea, nervousness or irritability.
Who are people at risk? Women?
- Women 3 times more exposed to thyroid nodules that men.
- The elderly because the nodules become more frequent from 60 years old.
- People with iodine deficiency
- People with a close person carrying a thyroid nodule and having already had a thyroid anomaly
- People who have already received radiotherapy at the head or neck
- People who have been exposed to radioactive particles linked to nuclear tests or nuclear accidents (Chernobyl, Fukushima, etc.) are also more at risk.
When to consult?
You have to consult your doctor:
- in front the appearance of a small visible or palpable abnormal mass on the anterior part of the neck,,
- in the event of breathing difficulties or to swallow,
- in front of the presence of a Swelling of the nodes located at the neck
- during the appearance of weight loss While appetite is normal,
- Palpitations, tremors, insomnia, nervousness testifying to signs of hyperthyroidism.
- in front of pain or pressures radiating in the neck
What is the treatment of a thyroid nodule?
The treatment of thyroid nodules depends on the nature of these nodules. “”In most cases, when ultrasound is reassuring, simple clinical and organic monitoring with TSH dosage is enough“Indicates our interlocutor.
When should you punctuate a thyroid nodule?
In the majority of cases, We do not touch a Benin noduleif it has a size of less than 4 cm. If it is annoying on a daily basis or very bulky, especially if it is located on the thyroid gland, It is possible that we must still remove itto prevent it from obstructing swallowing.
Thank you to Doctor Alain Scheimann, endocrinologist and author of and if it was the thyroid? (In Press, 2017)
Source : Thyroid nodule – How to explore it ?, HAS, September 28, 2021
