The thyroid gland is the largest endocrine gland in the human body. The formations, or nodes, differ in density and structure from the glandular tissue, so sometimes the patient can find them on their own, but not always. Palpations are not amenable to deep-seated formations or located low. What is the danger of a node on the thyroid gland? This question cannot be answered unequivocally, because almost any thyroid disease is accompanied by the appearance of nodules.
Nodes Why do they appear?
As mentioned above, many diseases contribute to the appearance of formations on the thyroid gland. In order to establish a diagnosis, you need to contact an endocrinologist.
Before you ask yourself whether the nodes on the thyroid gland are dangerous, you need to understand what diseases they most often appear with.
So, most often with the detection of formations on the gland in a person, goiter is diagnosed. This pathology appears with a frequency of 90%. In second place are benign thyroid tumors. They account for 5 to 8 percent of cases. Much less often, a patient is diagnosed with a malignant tumor of the thyroid gland. It is worth noting that any disease requires urgent treatment, especially when it comes to tumor formations.
Types of Nodes
Not all nodes on the thyroid gland are the same. They are divided into species, which are determined depending on the nature of the occurrence of formations. Allocate:
- malignant tumors;
- follicular adenomas;
- cystic formations;
- diffuse goiter;
- conglomerate goiter;
- multinodular goiter ;
- endemic goiter.
It is worth noting that special attention on the part of doctors does not require multiple formations, but a single node on the thyroid gland. Is it dangerous? Some experts are convinced that a single entity has a greater predisposition to malignancy.
As a rule, one node indicates the presence of a cancerous tumor, adenoma, benign formation, colloid goiter or cyst with fluid contents.
Diagnostics of nodes on ultrasound
In total, on the ultrasound there are 4 types of formations on the thyroid gland:
- Isoechogenic node. Such a formation does not differ in density from the density of the gland itself.
- Inechogenic node. This formation has a strong blood circulation, and the vessels in it are dilated.
- Hypoechoic node. The formation is dense and filled with either liquid or dead cells. With this type, as a rule, a cyst or tumor is diagnosed.
- Colloid node. Consists of the same tissue as the thyroid gland. Increased blood supply.
An isoechoic node on an ultrasound scan is usually light in color. With a heterogeneous consistency, dark patches can be seen. In this case, most likely, a diagnosis of cystic formation is established.
What are the dangerous hypoechoic nodes on the thyroid gland? Their sizes on average reach three centimeters, which very often indicates a malignant process. If the tumor is really cancerous, then the node will not have clear boundaries, but it is impossible to make a diagnosis using ultrasound.
The degree of development of goiter
Now goiter can be characterized very accurately. For this, there is even a special grid according to OV To Nikolaev. It is worth noting that goiter is just diagnosed when there are nodes on the thyroid gland. What are the dangerous formations indicated in the table.
| Power | Signs of goiter |
| 0 degree | The thyroid gland is invisible, homogeneous and without masses. |
| 1 degree | The thyroid gland is invisible, but it can be easily felt. |
| 2 degree | Thyroid seen when swallowed |
| 3 degree | The gland grows and visually thickens the neck |
| 4 degree | Goiter becomes large, disturbing the shape of the neck |
| 5 degree | The thyroid gland grows so much that it begins to put pressure on nearby organs |
What is the danger of a node on the thyroid gland?
Despite the fact that it was previously believed that benign formations on the thyroid gland degenerate into malignant over time, this is absolutely not so. Benign tumors are completely harmless and do not affect the quality of human life. Such a formation, as a rule, is removed only if the patient begins to experience discomfort.
A completely different conversation is conducted if a patient has a cancerous tumor. Such formations require immediate removal and further observation. It is worth noting that thyroid cancer is a very insidious disease that manifests itself only in the final stages, therefore it is so important to be constantly monitored.
Symptomatology
A person, as a rule, does not feel symptoms of goiter, from which the question arises as to whether the nodes on the thyroid gland are more dangerous. The reasons for the appearance of formations are very diverse, but the signs most often coincide. With the growth of education, the patientβs neck changes, and he begins to feel a sense of constriction.
If the patient has a rapid heartbeat, sudden weight loss with normal appetite and nervousness, then the endocrinologist can make a preliminary diagnosis - diffuse-nodular goiter.
It is worth noting that follicular thyroid cysts usually do not give any symptoms and are practically harmless to human health.
Emerging complications
Each person should closely monitor the state of their thyroid gland. First you need to have information about how large the nodes on the thyroid gland are. Small benign formations should only be observed. In this case, the patient does not need to be operated on if he does not feel discomfort.
Sometimes cystic formations can begin to fester and become inflamed. At such moments, a person experiences terrible pain in the neck, his temperature rises, nausea and other unpleasant symptoms appear.
If the nodes have grown to enormous size, then the patient begins to feel a sense of pressure. Sometimes respiratory failure is noted.
Another dangerous complication is malignancy. Benign tumors in the thyroid gland do not degenerate, however, sometimes a small node with insufficient attention can lead to the development of cancer.
Measures for diagnosing formations
When a person faced a similar problem, he immediately raises the question: "What are the dangerous nodes on the thyroid gland?" Their treatment should be started only after a full examination, which is a whole range of procedures.
- The patient is offered an MRI scan.
- Computed tomography also does not hurt.
- In some cases, radioisotope diagnostics are performed.
- If necessary, a biopsy is prescribed to confirm the benign nature of the formation.
- Mandatory when making a diagnosis will be a blood test for thyroid hormones - T3, T4, TSH.
It is worth remembering that only a set of measures is able to accurately diagnose the patient and begin the correct treatment of the node.
Node treatment
It is not necessary to say that only the attending physician prescribes the necessary therapy. It all depends on the nature of the formation. Only drug therapy may be prescribed, and surgery may be required.
If the nodule is small, then often the endocrinologist offers only regular patient visits to monitor the development of education. And this recommendation must be strictly observed. What is the danger of a small thyroid nodule? First of all, with its small size it is almost impossible to determine the exact diagnosis. Most likely, it is a benign tumor or goiter, but there is a risk of malignancy.
If the patient was diagnosed with diffuse goiter, then the treatment will be with hormonal drugs. Usually their reception lasts a long time (at least a year). During this time, iron is completely restored.
Other diseases often require surgical intervention. Remove the thyroid gland partially or completely. Complete removal is indicated for a cancerous tumor or for an autoimmune disease.
Disease prognosis
If only hormone therapy was prescribed, then the prognosis is usually favorable. Modern drugs completely cope with thyroid dysfunction.
When conducting an operation, it is too early to talk about a prognosis before a histological conclusion. If histology showed a benign tumor or cystic formation, then the prognosis is favorable. It is worth noting that cysts on the thyroid gland sometimes appear again and they again have to be removed promptly.
If the histological conclusion showed a moderately malignant tumor without metastases, then the prognosis of 70-80% is favorable. An unfavorable prognosis is made only for cancerous tumors in advanced stages. In such cases, the formation grows, affects neighboring organs, metastases appear.
Preventative measures
So, the more dangerous the node on the thyroid gland has already been disassembled above. In order to prevent their occurrence, there are simple preventive measures.
Firstly, it is advisable to play sports. Great for swimming and yoga. Secondly, it is necessary to protect oneself as much as possible from an unfavorable psychological situation. It is no secret that all diseases appear from nerves. Thirdly, it is recommended to use preparations containing iodine or iodized salt.
The following food products provoke the development of thyroid diseases: stew, fast food, canned food, ketchup, alcoholic beverages, margarine and confectionery.
There are also a number of products that help fight various pathologies, for example, decoctions of wild rose and hawthorn, seeds, dried fruits, herbs, vegetables, fruits, lemons, green tea and nuts.
It is especially worthwhile to closely monitor the state of the thyroid gland for pregnant women, women during lactation, children and adolescents. To protect yourself from the disease, it is recommended to take drugs with a high content of iodine.