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OVERVIEW

What is the thyroid?

The thyroid is a small gland located at the base of your throat (near your Adam’s apple) that regulates body functions such as heart rate, metabolism and the rate at which your body burns calories.

What is a thyroid nodule?

A thyroid nodule is a lump in the thyroid gland in your neck. More than 90% of all thyroid nodules are benign (noncancerous). Some are actually cysts filled with fluid.

How common are thyroid nodules?

Almost 10% of adults will develop thyroid nodules in their lifetime. They are more common in women than in men. They also tend to run in families.

SYMPTOMS

What symptoms do thyroid nodules cause?

Most thyroid nodules do not cause symptoms. Some people might have trouble swallowing or have a feeling of fullness, pain or pressure in the throat or neck. Some people might notice a lump in their neck when they look in the mirror, but this is uncommon. Some people experience rapid unintended weight loss, feelings of nervousness or irregular heartbeat. Often, a healthcare provider finds the lump during a routine checkup or during other tests.

DIAGNOSIS & TESTS

How can my healthcare provider tell if I have a thyroid nodule that is cancerous?

Your healthcare provider can do several different tests. One test is called fine-needle aspiration. Your healthcare provider will take a tissue sample from your thyroid gland and examine it under a microscope to see if it is cancerous. The tissue sample is taken with a very small needle.

Another test your healthcare provider may do is an ultrasound. This test uses sound waves to make a picture of the thyroid’s shape and the size of the nodules. It can help your healthcare provider determine whether the nodule is a solid tumor or a cyst filled with fluid.

A third test is a thyroid scan. Your healthcare provider will inject harmless radioactive iodine into a vein in your arm. The iodine is absorbed by your thyroid gland and makes it “glow” as your healthcare provider takes a special picture. Your healthcare provider can learn about the nodule depending on how much or how little of the iodine shows in the picture.

TREATMENT

How are thyroid nodules treated?

Some patients who have small benign nodules may choose watchful waiting. This is not a form of active treatment but rather an observation period. The nodule may go away on its own or stay the same size. Patients treated this way should be checked by their healthcare provider every 6 months to monitor the growth of the nodule. As long as the nodule does not grow, there’s usually no need to worry.

Other forms of treatment include taking hormones or radioactive iodine to shrink the nodules or injecting the nodules with ethyl alcohol (ethanol) to shrink the nodules. If a nodule is cancerous or grows despite hormone pill treatment, surgery to remove the nodule may be needed.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER

• Is my thyroid nodule cancer? If it isn’t now, does this mean that I am more prone to developing thyroid cancer?
• Will my children be more likely to get thyroid nodules?
• What is the best treatment for my thyroid nodules?
• If I have one thyroid nodule now and it goes away, will it come back?
• What can I do at home to prevent thyroid nodules?
• Do you have any educational materials I can read?
• Do you recommend any web sites?

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Canadian Cancer Society:
http://www.cancer.ca

Sources

Thyroid Nodules by MJ Welker, MD; D Orlov, MS, CNP (02/01/03, http://www.aafp.org/afp/20030201/559.html)