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Suggest Treatment For Enlarged Thyroid Nodules
Hello, I have a friend that has an enlarged thyroid nodule and seen the doctor today, they told her that they could feel more than one enlarged nodule. One is very large. The doctor was talking about doing radiation treatments. My question is: Is it normal practice to treat this condition with radiation and the enlarged nodules be non cancerous? I am assuming that this condition is called a having a goiter? Are they life threatening?
Thu, 15 Oct 2015
Hello and welcome to HCM,
Enlarged thyroid nodule can be due to non-neoplastic and neoplastic disorders.
All thyroid nodules are not malignant and not all are due to goiter.
Investigations are required to determine the cause of thyroid enlargement to plan management.
Thyroid function test (TFT) should be performed initially to assess the function of thyroid gland.
TFT needs to be followed by ultrasound of the thyroid.
Ultrasound needs to be followed by aspiration cytology.
In aspiration cytology, cells are aspirated from the thyroid swelling and stained with appropriate stain.
Aspiration cytology will determine the nature and character of the thyroid swelling.
Thus, all these investigations - TFT, ultrasound and aspiration cytology will diagnose the cause of thyroid swelling.
Further treatment will depend on the cause of thyroid enlargement.
Non-neoplastic conditions like goiter is treated by surgical excision, thyroiditis with medical treatment, graves disease with medication etc.
Neoplastic conditions are managed by surgical excision.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
Enlarged thyroid nodule can be due to non-neoplastic and neoplastic disorders.
All thyroid nodules are not malignant and not all are due to goiter.
Investigations are required to determine the cause of thyroid enlargement to plan management.
Thyroid function test (TFT) should be performed initially to assess the function of thyroid gland.
TFT needs to be followed by ultrasound of the thyroid.
Ultrasound needs to be followed by aspiration cytology.
In aspiration cytology, cells are aspirated from the thyroid swelling and stained with appropriate stain.
Aspiration cytology will determine the nature and character of the thyroid swelling.
Thus, all these investigations - TFT, ultrasound and aspiration cytology will diagnose the cause of thyroid swelling.
Further treatment will depend on the cause of thyroid enlargement.
Non-neoplastic conditions like goiter is treated by surgical excision, thyroiditis with medical treatment, graves disease with medication etc.
Neoplastic conditions are managed by surgical excision.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
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