Thyroid Nodules
 
By Alan S. Peterson, M.D.

 
What is a thyroid nodule?
 
A thyroid nodule is a lump in the thyroid gland at the base of the front of your neck. 

Who gets thyroid nodules and why?

Almost 10% of adults have thyroid nodules. They are more common in women. More than 90% of all thyroid nodules are not cancerous. Some are actually cysts filled with fluid. 

What are the symptoms of thyroid nodules?
 
Most thyroid nodules have no symptoms. Some people might notice a lump in their neck when they look in the mirror, but most people don’t. Often, the lump is found by the doctor during a routine checkup or by other tests. Some people might have trouble swallowing, or having a feeling of fullness, pain, or pressure in the throat or neck. 

How can my doctor tell if I have thyroid nodules?
 
Your doctor can do several tests for thyroid nodules. One test is a fine-needle aspiration. Your doctor may refer you to take a tissue sample from your thyroid gland and examine it under a microscope to see if it is cancerous. The sample is taken with a very small needle.

Another test your doctor may order is an ultrasound. It uses sound waves to make a picture of the shape of the thyroid and the size of the nodules. It can help your doctor to decide if the nodule is a solid tumor or a cyst.

A third test is a thyroid scan. Your doctor will send you to drink a small amount of radioactive iodine that is absorbed by your thyroid gland. A picture will be taken as this iodine glows in the gland. Your doctor can learn about the nodule depending on how much or how little of this iodine shows in the picture.

How are thyroid nodules treated?
 
Most thyroid nodules are not cancerous. Of the nodules that are cancerous, most can be treated. Some patients may take hormone pills to shrink the size or the nodule if there is no cancer. Others may be asked to watch the nodule to see if it goes away by itself. Patients treated this way should be checked by their doctor periodically. As long as the nodule does not grow, there is no need to worry. If the nodule is found to be cancerous or grows with hormone pill treatment, surgery to remove the nodule may be needed.
 
Where can I get more information?
 
There are multiple associations and foundations in the United States that concentrate on thyroid diseases. One that is very well known is the American Thyroid Association, Inc. Their web address is http://www.thyroid.org/. Another one is entitled The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Their web address is http://www.aace.com/.
 
Dr. Peterson is a doctor of Family and Community Medicine at the Walter L. Aument Family Health Center, 317 S. Chestnut St., Quarryville.