A common problem that affects 50% of women over the age of 50.
Nodules in the thyroid gland are common, occurring in 15 to 65 percent of people in all age groups, and are more common in women. It is believed that about 50 percent of women over the age of 50 have one or more nodules in the thyroid gland.
They are usually first noticed by patients or their doctors during a routine neck exam.
Often, nodules are discovered by chance during various radiological examinations such as CT scans of the head, neck or chest, lung X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging of the neck or ultrasound of the neck. These tests are often performed to assess other conditions of the patient such as trauma or examination of the carotid arteries.
Although most nodules in the thyroid gland are benign, it is important to carry out diagnostic evaluation to determine if the newly discovered nodule is dangerous to health and if it can affect daily activities.
About 5 to 10 percent of all nodes in the thyroid gland have malignant potential. In general, a nodule in the thyroid gland is considered “significant” if its diameter is greater than 1 cm or if ultrasound shows characteristics that correspond to thyroid cancers.
Large benign nodules in the thyroid gland can cause an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) that presses on surrounding structures such as the esophagus and trachea, leading to difficulty swallowing and breathing.
Toxic adenomas are hot nodes that secrete hormones uncontrollably, causing increased pressure and accelerated metabolism. Surgical therapy is often the method of choice for their treatment. Extremely enlarged thyroid glands can be an indication for surgical therapy for aesthetic and functional reasons. In such large thyroid glands, due to the lack of accurate diagnostics, signs of a malignant disease, such as thyroid cancer, are often found.
For every patient who has thyroid problems, after a detailed interview and orientation physical examination of the thyroid gland and neck, it is necessary to perform a standardized treatment in order to gain insight into the local and functional status of the thyroid gland.
Standardized treatment includes an ultrasound examination (ultrasound) of the thyroid gland and neck, which allows visualization of all changes present in the thyroid gland. Any lesion larger than 1 cm or with dubious characteristics requires additional processing, which includes cytological analysis.
This procedure involves the use of a thin needle that is inserted into the thyroid tissue under ultrasound control, taking a tissue sample for additional analysis. Based on such material, the cytologist can determine with 95% certainty the characteristics of changes inside the thyroid gland.
By determining the hormones in the blood, usually TSH and fT4, we get information about the overall hormonal status of the patient.
If Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is suspected, we measure the values of antibodies to thyroxine peroxidase (anti TPO) and antibodies to thyroglobulin (anti Tg).
In patients with thyroid cancer, the determination of thyroglobulin (Tg) can be a significant marker for monitoring the course of malignant disease. Similarly, calcitonin is measured as a specific marker for medullary carcinoma.
Based on all the collected findings, our team will individually determine and recommend the optimal therapeutic approach for each patient.
In most cases, when we are faced with larger nodules in the thyroid gland, surgical treatment becomes the recommended method of treatment.
This therapy involves the removal of half of the thyroid gland, known as a lobectomy.
Sometimes it is necessary to perform a complete thyroidectomy, i.e. remove both lobes of the thyroid gland. In the case of malignant diseases, it may be necessary to remove the nodes that are close to the thyroid gland, and such an operation is called central dissection of the neck.
If the patient has metastatic nodes in the neck around important blood vessels such as carotid arteries, then lateral neck dissection is performed.
Our main goal at the LF Polyclinic is to improve the quality of life and health of our clients by providing them with a top-notch health service.
That is why we have gathered a team of top experts, specialists and subspecialists who are the backbone of our multidisciplinary centers and specialist clinics.
Our goal is to achieve a safe and long-term good result through a successful diagnosis and selection of individual treatment, with timely monitoring of the patient.
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For a consultation and examination with our expert team, you can contact us by phone at +3851 2444-646 or via our online form. Opening hours for orders are Monday to Friday 10:15 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.
The main goal of LF Polyclinic is to improve the quality of life and health of our clients by providing them with top-notch healthcare services.
