Does Every Thyroid Nodule Turn To Cancer?

Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases Specialist Associate Professor Yavuz Selim Yıldırım gave information on the subject. The thyroid gland provides the metabolism of our body. When the thyroid gland is overworked, it shows symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, chills, and diarrhea. When it works less, it shows signs of constipation, hair loss, thickening of the voice, water collection in the body, weakness and fatigue.

Thyroid nodules detected as a result of examination and neck ultrasound pose a risk for cancer. These nodules should be followed up. Nodules are seen more frequently in middle-aged women. Nodules can be detected in one out of every three women on average. When these nodules are not followed up, they can turn into cancer and spread throughout the body.

How should we follow up when it turns into cancer?

• A rapid increase in nodule size increases the likelihood of cancer
• Exposure to radiation during childhood increases the chance of cancer
• Risk in those with a family history of thyroid cancer
• Nodules Carrying Cancer Signs on Neck Ultrasound
• Odd or multiple nodules in the thyroid gland
• Whether the nodules are cystic or solid
• Whether it secretes hormones or not changes the probability of cancer.

Patients who are found to have nodules in the neck examination performed with our hands should definitely be checked with ultrasonography. Most of these patients do not have any symptoms. The patients do not have any complaints and may be palpable during the examination by chance. The probability of cancer in all nodules is around 5%. These incidentally detected nodules should be checked with ultrasound and in the presence of suspicious findings, they should be checked with fine needle biopsy.

Which patients are at risk

• Nodules detected in childhood
• Those with suspicious findings on ultrasonography
• Those with thyroid cancer in their family
• Those seen in the male gender and after the age of 45
• Those who have had thyroid surgery before
• Those with a significant increase in the size of the nodule in the last Altai year
• Having irregular borders in the nodules
• Mutation detection in fine needle biopsy
• Nodule pressing on trachea
• Presence of calcifications in the nodule
• Adherence of the nodule to the surrounding tissues
• Presence of thyroid-related lymph nodes in the neck

If patients with neck nodules have the above-mentioned symptoms, they should be followed more closely, these nodules are more likely to turn into cancer. If necessary, thyroid (goiter) surgery should be performed without delay.

If there are no risky symptoms, these nodules are probably benign and require periodic follow-up.

Should I be afraid of goiter surgery?

Today, with the opportunities provided by technology, healthy tissues can be preserved by removing only the cancerous part of the thyroid gland.

• Patients may not need to use hormones continuously.
• The parathyroid glands, which regulate calcium metabolism, are preserved.
• A nerve monitor is used to prevent vocal cord paralysis.
• Small incisions are made to avoid scarring on the neck.