A thyroid cyst is one volumetric formation or several small ones that arise as a result of certain pathologies of the gland. For a long time, the disease may not bother the patient. Pathology can disappear, without causing much trouble to a person. But sometimes the thyroid cyst begins to increase in size. Is it dangerous? And what consequences can this education lead to?
What is a pathology?
Every patient asks when they hear the diagnosis of thyroid cyst: Is it dangerous? Before answering it, you should understand what pathology we are dealing with.
Many specialists who are involved in the treatment of such an organ as the thyroid gland, cysts and nodes belong to the same group. Since there is no visible distinction. But these forms differ in structure.
In medicine, it is customary to call a cyst such a formation, the dimensions of which are 15 mm. In addition, it is filled inside with liquid. The node has a dense consistency.
Danger of pathology
Most often, a thyroid cyst is diagnosed in women. Is this disease dangerous? Timely and proper treatment always brings positive dynamics.
The danger is caused by the initial cause, which became the source of the development of the neoplasm. It can be found out by a qualified specialist, using modern examination methods. The following causes are dangerous:
- thyroiditis;
- gland hyperplasia;
- infections
- dystrophic pathological processes in the follicles.
Based on the study, the doctor will determine whether the cyst is capable of causing inflammation or suppuration. Thus, he will conclude whether the tumor is dangerous or not.
Anxiety causes the formation of an impressive size. In this case, is a thyroid cyst dangerous? Such tumors, unfortunately, often provoke the occurrence of malignant tumors.
Doctors are in a hurry to reassure patients who are diagnosed with a thyroid cyst. Is this formation dangerous? Only in 10% of all diagnosed cysts. In most cases, the pathology is not dangerous if viewed from the point of view of its transformation into oncology.
Causes of pathology
The occurrence of a cyst may be due to the structure of the gland. After all, it is more than 30 million follicles filled with colloid. In addition, overvoltage can provoke pathology.
Consider why there are cysts on the thyroid gland.
The causes of the formations are known as follows:
- psychoemotional stress;
- rehabilitation period after a serious illness;
- thermal effects on the body - intense heat or cold (such conditions contribute to increased production of hormones and activity of the gland);
- iodine deficiency;
- imbalance, hormonal imbalance;
- thyroiditis - inflammation in the unchanged gland;
- adverse ecology;
- poisoning, intoxication;
- congenital pathology of the thyroid gland;
- hereditary factor;
- gland injury.
Cyst Symptoms
Thyroid education often develops asymptomatically and slowly. After all, the small size of the cyst does not exert pressure on the vascular system. Symptoms begin to appear when the neoplasm increases in size (sometimes up to 3 cm or more). Such a pathology becomes visually visible.
A cyst may cause some discomfort. You should pay attention to it. Indeed, at the initial stage, such a pathology is treated conservatively. And does not need other therapeutic methods.
Symptoms of a benign formation in the thyroid gland can be as follows:
- sore throat;
- a feeling of slight compaction;
- hoarseness, altered voice timbre;
- pain (may indicate suppuration);
- low-grade fever (sometimes up to 39-40 );
- feeling of chills;
- headache;
- visual change in the contour of the neck;
- enlarged lymph nodes.
Such signs may occur periodically. But even a single episode of alarming symptoms is an occasion to see a doctor.
Colloid cyst
At its core, this is a node formed as a result of a non-toxic goiter. Colloidal cyst of the thyroid gland in 95% of all cases is benign. Such a pathology requires medical examination. Unfortunately, there are 5% of cysts that can transform into a malignant neoplasm.
A colloid cyst of the thyroid gland occurs mainly due to a deficiency of iodine in the body. Sometimes pathology is based on heredity. A large role in the formation of a colloidal cyst is played by excessive radiation (atomic accidents and explosions).
The initial degree of pathology with clinical signs does not appear. The formation of up to 10 mm in patients is not felt and, as a rule, poses no danger to health. An enlarging cyst complicates the process of swallowing food, compresses the trachea, esophagus.
The characteristic signs that signal the growth of education are:
- hot flashes;
- increased sweating;
- occasional outbreaks of irritability;
- tachycardia.
A colloid cyst often does not need surgical treatment. Endocrinologists recommend the patient regular monitoring of the state of the gland.
Follicular cyst
This pathology is classified by doctors as an adenoma. Since the formation contains a large number of follicles, it has a fairly dense structure. Follicular adenoma is more dangerous. It can degenerate into adenocarcinoma.
Symptoms of a follicular cyst are the following signs:
- dense formation (well palpated, sometimes noticeable visually);
- clear boundaries of the neoplasm;
- lack of pain during palpation;
- labored breathing;
- sensation of a coma in the throat, feeling of constriction;
- discomfort in the neck;
- frequent coughing;
- irritability;
- sore throat;
- fatigue;
- sweating
- sensitivity to temperature extremes;
- tachycardia;
- pressure instability;
- low-grade fever;
- weight loss.
Conservative treatment of adenoma is practically impossible. Sometimes thyroid cyst removal is required.
Education in the right lobe
Such a pathology is common enough. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the right lobe is slightly larger than the left. Such a structure is physiologically incorporated.
The cyst of the right lobe of the thyroid gland in most cases has a benign character. To pathological sizes, it increases extremely rarely. If the formation is not detected in a timely manner, it can grow to 4-6 mm.
The patient in this case feels the following symptoms:
- unpleasant squeezing in the neck;
- difficulty breathing, swallowing;
- standing lump in the larynx.
A cyst of the right lobe of the thyroid gland (up to 6 mm) is treated with a conservative method and is regularly observed. The prognosis depends on the results of histology. Often with such a pathology, the use of medications is not required. The doctor recommends a certain diet, which contains many iodine-containing dishes and seafood.
Pathology in the left lobe
With such a neoplasm, a compensatory mechanism is often observed . In other words, the left lobe is active, and the right lobe is hypoactive or normal. In this case, education is not life threatening.
If the cyst of the left lobe of the thyroid gland enlarges, it is recommended to empty the cavity, with the introduction of "Sclerosant". Such a preparation "glues" the walls of formation and prevents the accumulation of colloidal contents. With a purulent or inflammatory process, puncture determines the causative agent of the infection. As a result, the doctor may prescribe adequate antibacterial therapy.
If, after sclerosis, a cyst of the left lobe of the thyroid gland reappears, then the patient is recommended surgical intervention - resection.
Therapeutic treatment is based on iodine-containing drugs and a special diet. The prognosis of the pathology is favorable, subject to all doctor's prescriptions.
Multiple cysts
Such a pathology can signal developing thyroid ailments, for example, struma - goiter.
Basically, cysts of both lobes of the thyroid gland arise as a result of iodine deficiency. Thus, treatment is aimed at neutralizing provoking factors. A special diet, a diet, is being developed for the patient. If necessary, it is recommended to attend psychotherapy sessions to restore emotional balance.
Children education
The thyroid cyst in a child is quite rare (1% of all pathologies). But the most dangerous are precisely children's endocrine ailments. They often degenerate into cancer. Since the thyroid gland in a child is different in structure from the organ of an adult. In addition, she works quite actively. Since it is responsible for the production of growth hormone, protein synthesis, the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
Common causes of the development of a cyst in a child are:
- autoimmune thyroiditis (chronic) ;
- traumatic injury (fall, shock);
- malnutrition;
- acute thyroiditis;
- lack of iodine;
- bad ecology;
- hormonal disorders during puberty;
- hereditary factor.
In children, a thyroid cyst can develop very quickly. Sometimes she puts so much pressure on her vocal cords that a child may lose her voice. Quite dangerous purulent formation, provoking intoxication of the body.
An extremely unpleasant fact is that in 25% of cases a malignant form is detected in children.
Pathology treatment
Methods of combating pathology can only be prescribed by a doctor, based on the examination. It is often recommended to follow a diet if a cyst of the thyroid gland is found.
Drug treatment involves the following drugs:
- With a lack of hormone secretion, medications are prescribed: Triiodothyronine, Iodtirox, and Thyroxine.
- In case of increased secretion, the following drugs are recommended: "Tyrosol", "Propicil", "Diiodotyrosine".
- Antithyroid drugs. Accelerate the excretion of iodine from the thyroid gland. Prescribed drugs: "Merkazolil", "Propylthiouracil."
- Thyroid drugs. Make up for the deficiency of T3, T4 in the body. Recommended preparations: “Tireotom”, “Levothyroxine”.
- Combined medicines. Increase iodine concentration. Effective drugs: "Potassium iodide 200", "Iodtirox".
In some cases (with suppuration, imbalance of the hormonal balance, strong pressure on the larynx, provoking asphyxiation), surgery may be recommended. Endocrinologists prefer to resort to a less traumatic method - sclerotherapy.
Folk remedies
You should not be limited only to medications. Thyroid cyst is effectively treated with folk remedies. But before using them, it is advisable to seek the support of a doctor.
Alternative treatment of thyroid cysts involves the following methods:
- Tincture of "Zamaniha". 20 drops of the drug are diluted in 100 ml of boiled water. Such a solution is consumed twice a day for a month.
- Herbalists advise using oak bark. It should be applied to the cyst in the form of a compress.
- The leaves of a green walnut must be insisted on alcohol. For a glass of raw materials - 500 ml of alcohol. The product is aged for two weeks. Three drops per day should be taken in 5 drops. The use lasts a month.
- Effective compresses from iodized salt. The latter is wrapped in fabric, and placed on the neck.
- Amber beads are recommended. There is an opinion that wearing such an ornament allows you to stop the growth of cysts, thyroid nodes. Sometimes the pathology can even resolve.
Possible consequences
The prognosis of pathology depends entirely on the histological factor. Benign education is completely cured.
It is very dangerous if the thyroid cyst is not treated. The consequences can be quite depressing. Such negligence can lead to degeneration of organ tissues. Or, even worse, a benign cyst is transformed into a malignant.
A periodic visit to an endocrinologist is a prerequisite for timely diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cysts.