The thyroid gland is the largest endocrine gland in the body. It is butterfly-shaped and located in front of the trachea below the larynx. The thyroid gland functions to produce thyroid hormones, which are essential for life as they are involved in the body’s energy metabolism, temperature regulation, and directly affect the functioning of the brain, muscles, and various organs.
Common Thyroid Diseases and Conditions
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypothyroidism
- Thyroiditis
- Goiter
- Thyroid nodules
Thyroid Nodules
Thyroid nodules are quite common. Patients may feel the lump themselves or be told by others that their neck looks enlarged. Doctors may detect nodules when there is suspicion, during general health check-ups, or from ultrasound examinations of the neck done for other medical reasons.
Causes and Risks of Thyroid Nodules
- May be caused by iodine deficiency
- Most, about 95%, are not serious diseases
- Benign tumors
- Chronic thyroiditis
- A small portion may develop into malignant tumors or cancer
Risk Factors for Thyroid Cancer
To assess the risk that a thyroid nodule is cancerous, besides biopsy, the following factors may also be considered:
- Rapidly growing nodules
- Other abnormal symptoms such as hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or breathing difficulties
- Nodules occurring in patients younger than 30 years or older than 60 years
- Male patients
- Patients with a history of radiation exposure to the head and neck during childhood
Examinations When a Thyroid Nodule is Found
The main purpose is to evaluate whether the thyroid nodule has a high risk of being cancerous. This can be done by thyroid biopsy and blood tests to assess thyroid function, checking for hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid Biopsy
The doctor will use a needle to aspirate tissue from the thyroid gland for pathological examination. This method is highly accurate and has few complications.
Treatment of Thyroid Nodules
- If the biopsy result is cancer, treatment involves surgery and radioactive iodine therapy.
- If the biopsy result is not cancer and there is a single large nodule, treatment options may include:
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- No treatment is necessary, only monitoring the nodule size for 1 year. It is found that 20-30% of nodules may shrink on their own. If the nodule grows, treatment will be considered.
- Treatment with oral medication by giving thyroxine hormone. The response to treatment may take 3-6 months before the nodule size decreases. This treatment is effective in about 50% of cases.
- Treatment by injecting alcohol into the nodule, which may require multiple injections. Side effects of this treatment include pain.
We should all regularly observe changes in our bodies. If you notice abnormalities such as a lump in the neck as described, it is recommended to see an endocrinologist for diagnosis and further treatment.
