Today, endocrine pathologies are often detected in people of different age groups. Among them, thyroid diseases, manifested by various clinical signs, which depends on the type of pathology and the level of synthesis of thyroid hormones, should be noted.
Before talking about changes in the density of tissues of this gland, it is necessary to briefly tell what the thyroid gland is.
This is an internal secretion organ that takes part in the metabolism and growth processes of both individual cells and the entire body, and also stores iodine and produces specific hormones - thyroxine and triiodothyronine, affecting the development of the skeletal system, mental abilities and the functioning of the thermoregulatory system.
Where is the thyroid gland located?
It is located in front of the neck in front of the trachea. Above it is the thyroid cartilage of the larynx. I must say that the location of the thyroid gland can change with age. So, in children it is at the level of the lower edge of the laryngeal thyroid cartilage, and in older people it can sink, descending in some cases into the chest cavity.
Among the most common thyroid pathologies are hypo- and hyperthyroidism, thyroiditis, follicular adenoma, and nodes in its structure.
The reasons for the development of nodes in the thyroid gland
Let us dwell on the pathological conditions in which a thyroid gland node is formed . Most often, the reason for the development of compaction zones is the lack of iodine in the body. It should also be noted that thyroid nodes are often diagnosed in people with a burdened family history. So, if a thyroid gland node was previously detected in relatives, this increases the risk of developing this pathology in other family members several times.
If the nodes are of a tumor nature, then most often in the etiology of their development, a certain role is played by ionizing radiation and x-ray therapy in the neck in the treatment of thymus or tonsils.
It must be remembered that the thyroid gland node is not a separate disease, but a symptom that can occur with many thyroid diseases. If the lesion of this gland has a benign character, then most often colloid nodes, follicular adenoma, cysts or various inflammatory pathologies are found. With its malignant damage, lymphomas, squamous, anaplastic or papillary cancer develop, which also manifests itself as the formation of nodal structures in the gland tissue.
Clinical manifestations of thyroid nodes
According to the appearance mechanism, these structures have a tumor and non-tumor nature. With tumor nodes, mutations occur in the cells of the gland, which acquire the ability to uncontrollably divide, which becomes the cause of the formation of seals. Benign nodes increase in size without infiltration. They provoke tissue atrophy and contraction of tissues and organs that are located nearby.
I must say that this pathology is extremely common among the population, but manifests itself in different ways. If the thyroid gland node is benign, then clinically it may not manifest itself, being detected by chance during an ultrasound examination. With a significant size of the nodes, they can compress neighboring organs and provoke a violation of swallowing, breathing, voice changes, the appearance of a “coma in the throat” feeling, as well as cosmetic neck deformation.
With nodes of a malignant nature, the secretory function of the thyroid gland (in most cases in the form of thyrotoxicosis) is impaired. A serious complication of such a lesion is the process of metastasis to the bones, respiratory organs and brain, which significantly worsens the prognosis of the disease.
That is why, if any seal is found in the thyroid gland, a thorough examination should be performed, which should include a fine needle biopsy, which will confirm or exclude the cancerous nature of the nodes.