Thyroid Nodules

Nodules, or “lumps” in the thyroid gland, are quite common. Lumps that can be felt by your doctor during an examination are found in at least five percent of people. Most nodules are benign and only fifteen percent are cancerous. There are two types of nodules – the ones that do not pick up radioactive iodine on a thyroid scan are called “cold” and do not cause thyroid imbalance. However, these are the nodules that would be more likely to be cancerous.

Hyperactive thyroid nodules or “hot” nodules are much less common than cold nodules. They tend to cause hyperthyroidism and are almost never cancerous. If you have a thyroid nodule and your TSH is normal, that indicates that you have a cold nodule and the next step should be an ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsy. You are at a higher risk of having thyroid cancer if you received radiation treatment to the neck or if you were exposed to radiation when you were a child. Men with a thyroid nodule have a higher chance of thyroid cancer than women. If your thyroid nodule increases over time, this could be an indication that you have thyroid cancer. Remember that a Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy is not always 100% full proof. Small nodules, less than one centimeter, are found in more than ten percent of people, and are typically detected by ultrasound or other imaging of the neck. Like big nodules, some small nodules are cancerous. Insist to have proper follow-up on your nodule regardless of the size.