Thyroid nodules are not life-threatening, but they can significantly affect a patient’s quality of life, and their incidence is steadily increasing. Therefore, equipping oneself with knowledge about thyroid nodules is essential for proactive prevention and effective management.
What are thyroid nodules?
Thyroid nodules, also known as thyroid lumps, are abnormal growths arising from the thyroid gland when a portion of thyroid tissue proliferates irregularly. These nodules contain fluid and can range in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters.
Studies have shown that approximately 68% of thyroid nodules are benign, and in these cases, the nodules usually do not contain fluid. However, if the nodules include solid tissue components in addition to fluid, the risk of malignancy increases, accounting for up to 30%.
Thyroid nodules can occur at any age but are more common in women than in men, with women being about five times more likely to develop the condition.
Women are at a higher risk of developing thyroid nodules than men.
Symptoms of thyroid nodules
Thyroid nodules affect the thyroid gland—an essential endocrine organ located in the neck that produces hormones regulating key body functions. When nodules develop, the gland may produce excessive amounts of hormones, leading to a variety of clinical symptoms.
Benign thyroid nodules
In the early stages, patients often find it difficult to recognize any clear symptoms, as the nodules typically develop silently and remain too small to detect. According to Dr. Ha Luong Yen, Department of Endocrinology – Hong Ngoc General Hospital, most patients only discover the presence of thyroid nodules incidentally during routine health check-ups, blood tests measuring thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, or thyroid disease screening.
As the thyroid nodule enlarges, more noticeable symptoms may begin to appear, including:
Palpable lump in the neck: Patients may detect a mass by touching the neck area or observing it in the mirror, or when buttoning a shirt collar.
Chronic persistent cough
Difficulty swallowing or a sensation of obstruction, and shortness of breath due to the nodule pressing on or being located near the trachea and esophagus.
Hoarseness or frequent sore throat
An enlarging thyroid nodule may cause cough, hoarseness, and sore throat.
Malignant thyroid nodules
Malignant thyroid nodules, more accurately referred to as thyroid cancer, occur less frequently but can affect individuals of any age. If detected late, these nodules can have a profound impact on both the physical and mental health of patients. Conversely, when diagnosed at an early stage, thyroid cancer is highly treatable and can often be completely cured.
Some common symptoms of malignant thyroid nodules include:
Sore throat and hoarseness: These symptoms cause discomfort, reduce communication effectiveness, and negatively impact daily activities and work performance.
Enlarged cervical lymph nodes or neck masses: Large nodules may deform the neck’s appearance, leading to cosmetic concerns and diminished self-confidence.
Difficulty swallowing: Compression of the esophagus by the nodule makes eating and drinking difficult, resulting in nutritional imbalance, weakened immunity, and increased susceptibility to other illnesses.
Shortness of breath: In advanced cases where the tumor metastasizes and invades the trachea, patients may experience significant breathing difficulties.
Everyone should pay close attention to the above symptoms in order to recognize them early and seek timely medical evaluation at the hospital. To book an appointment with our endocrinology and thyroid specialists, please contact our hotline at 0911.858.626 or register HERE.
Causes of thyroid nodules
Thyroid nodules caused by immune system dysfunction
One of the underlying causes of thyroid nodules is impaired immune function. Under normal, healthy conditions, the immune system tightly regulates the natural cycle of cell birth and death, whereby millions of new cells are generated every second while abnormal, aged, or defective cells are eliminated.
However, when the immune system is weakened, these abnormal or aged cells are not destroyed, leading to an imbalance between cell production and cell death. As a result, uncontrolled cell proliferation occurs, which can give rise to nodules, including thyroid nodules.
Other causes of thyroid nodules
In addition to immune dysfunction, several other factors may contribute to the formation of thyroid nodules:
Genetics: Individuals with a family history of thyroid nodules or other endocrine disorders (parents or siblings) are at higher risk.
Age: Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are more prone to developing thyroid nodules.
Gender: Women are more likely than men to develop thyroid nodules. Hormonal fluctuations during the reproductive years may disrupt endocrine balance, increasing the risk.
Radiation exposure: Radiation can cause genetic mutations, leading to abnormal cell growth and the formation of nodules.
High-risk groups for thyroid nodules
Individuals at greater risk of developing thyroid nodules include:
People with poor overall health or weakened immune systems, often presenting with fatigue, frequent colds, joint pain, or digestive problems
Those with a family history of thyroid disorders, particularly thyroid nodules
Individuals with a history of thyroid diseases, such as chronic thyroiditis
Middle-aged and elderly individuals with declining immune function
People frequently exposed to toxic environments, such as industrial settings
Women of reproductive age
Treatment methods for thyroid nodules
The choice of treatment for thyroid nodules depends on diagnostic results, including the size and characteristics of the nodule as well as the patient’s overall health condition.
Under ultrasound guidance, the physician aspirates fluid from the nodule.
Absolute ethanol is then injected directly into the lesion.
The ethanol induces protein coagulation and cellular dehydration, leading to necrosis, destruction of secretory cells, and fibrosis of the tissue.
Advantages:
No surgery is required, allowing the patient to remain conscious throughout the procedure.
Simple, safe, and does not impair thyroid function.
Leaves no scar, causes no pain or bleeding after the procedure.
Low treatment cost.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
Procedure: At Hong Ngoc General Hospital, radiofrequency ablation is performed by using high-frequency alternating current delivered through a specialized needle to generate heat, which destroys the thyroid nodule.
Advantages:
Performed quickly with advanced technology
Minimally painful, preserves thyroid function and surrounding structures
No open surgery required, ensuring excellent cosmetic outcomes without scarring
Surgical removal of thyroid nodules
Surgery is indicated when the thyroid nodule becomes too large, causing compression of surrounding tissues that leads to breathing difficulties and significantly affects the patient’s quality of life. Currently, there are two surgical methods: open surgery and endoscopic surgery. However, due to the limitations of open surgery, modern hospitals today more commonly apply endoscopic thyroidectomy via the transoral approach.
Procedure:
The surgeon makes a small 5–10 mm incision in the lower lip vestibule, allowing access to both thyroid lobes.
Central neck lymph node dissection is performed through the transoral route.
Advantages:
Within 12 hours after surgery, patients can move their mouth, eat soft foods such as porridge, drink milk, and are typically discharged after 5–6 days.
The procedure leaves no visible scar, ensuring optimal cosmetic outcomes.
Note: The information provided in this article by Hong Ngoc General Hospital is for reference only and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. To obtain an accurate assessment of their condition, patients should visit reputable healthcare facilities for direct consultation and appropriate treatment planning by qualified physicians.
Follow the official fanpage of Hong Ngoc General Hospital for more useful health information.
Thyroid nodules are not life-threatening, but they can significantly affect a patient’s quality of life, and their incidence is steadily increasing. Therefore, equipping oneself with knowledge about thyroid nodules is essential for proactive prevention and effective management.
What are thyroid nodules?
Thyroid nodules, also known as thyroid lumps, are abnormal growths arising from the thyroid gland when a portion of thyroid tissue proliferates irregularly. These nodules contain fluid and can range in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters.
Studies have shown that approximately 68% of thyroid nodules are benign, and in these cases, the nodules usually do not contain fluid. However, if the nodules include solid tissue components in addition to fluid, the risk of malignancy increases, accounting for up to 30%.
Thyroid nodules can occur at any age but are more common in women than in men, with women being about five times more likely to develop the condition.
Women are at a higher risk of developing thyroid nodules than men.
Symptoms of thyroid nodules
Thyroid nodules affect the thyroid gland—an essential endocrine organ located in the neck that produces hormones regulating key body functions. When nodules develop, the gland may produce excessive amounts of hormones, leading to a variety of clinical symptoms.
Benign thyroid nodules
In the early stages, patients often find it difficult to recognize any clear symptoms, as the nodules typically develop silently and remain too small to detect. According to Dr. Ha Luong Yen, Department of Endocrinology – Hong Ngoc General Hospital, most patients only discover the presence of thyroid nodules incidentally during routine health check-ups, blood tests measuring thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, or thyroid disease screening.
As the thyroid nodule enlarges, more noticeable symptoms may begin to appear, including:
Palpable lump in the neck: Patients may detect a mass by touching the neck area or observing it in the mirror, or when buttoning a shirt collar.
Chronic persistent cough
Difficulty swallowing or a sensation of obstruction, and shortness of breath due to the nodule pressing on or being located near the trachea and esophagus.
Hoarseness or frequent sore throat
An enlarging thyroid nodule may cause cough, hoarseness, and sore throat.
Malignant thyroid nodules
Malignant thyroid nodules, more accurately referred to as thyroid cancer, occur less frequently but can affect individuals of any age. If detected late, these nodules can have a profound impact on both the physical and mental health of patients. Conversely, when diagnosed at an early stage, thyroid cancer is highly treatable and can often be completely cured.
Some common symptoms of malignant thyroid nodules include:
Sore throat and hoarseness: These symptoms cause discomfort, reduce communication effectiveness, and negatively impact daily activities and work performance.
Enlarged cervical lymph nodes or neck masses: Large nodules may deform the neck’s appearance, leading to cosmetic concerns and diminished self-confidence.
Difficulty swallowing: Compression of the esophagus by the nodule makes eating and drinking difficult, resulting in nutritional imbalance, weakened immunity, and increased susceptibility to other illnesses.
Shortness of breath: In advanced cases where the tumor metastasizes and invades the trachea, patients may experience significant breathing difficulties.
Everyone should pay close attention to the above symptoms in order to recognize them early and seek timely medical evaluation at the hospital. To book an appointment with our endocrinology and thyroid specialists, please contact our hotline at 0911.858.626 or register HERE.
Causes of thyroid nodules
Thyroid nodules caused by immune system dysfunction
One of the underlying causes of thyroid nodules is impaired immune function. Under normal, healthy conditions, the immune system tightly regulates the natural cycle of cell birth and death, whereby millions of new cells are generated every second while abnormal, aged, or defective cells are eliminated.
However, when the immune system is weakened, these abnormal or aged cells are not destroyed, leading to an imbalance between cell production and cell death. As a result, uncontrolled cell proliferation occurs, which can give rise to nodules, including thyroid nodules.
Other causes of thyroid nodules
In addition to immune dysfunction, several other factors may contribute to the formation of thyroid nodules:
Genetics: Individuals with a family history of thyroid nodules or other endocrine disorders (parents or siblings) are at higher risk.
Age: Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are more prone to developing thyroid nodules.
Gender: Women are more likely than men to develop thyroid nodules. Hormonal fluctuations during the reproductive years may disrupt endocrine balance, increasing the risk.
Radiation exposure: Radiation can cause genetic mutations, leading to abnormal cell growth and the formation of nodules.
High-risk groups for thyroid nodules
Individuals at greater risk of developing thyroid nodules include:
People with poor overall health or weakened immune systems, often presenting with fatigue, frequent colds, joint pain, or digestive problems
Those with a family history of thyroid disorders, particularly thyroid nodules
Individuals with a history of thyroid diseases, such as chronic thyroiditis
Middle-aged and elderly individuals with declining immune function
People frequently exposed to toxic environments, such as industrial settings
Women of reproductive age
Treatment methods for thyroid nodules
The choice of treatment for thyroid nodules depends on diagnostic results, including the size and characteristics of the nodule as well as the patient’s overall health condition.
Under ultrasound guidance, the physician aspirates fluid from the nodule.
Absolute ethanol is then injected directly into the lesion.
The ethanol induces protein coagulation and cellular dehydration, leading to necrosis, destruction of secretory cells, and fibrosis of the tissue.
Advantages:
No surgery is required, allowing the patient to remain conscious throughout the procedure.
Simple, safe, and does not impair thyroid function.
Leaves no scar, causes no pain or bleeding after the procedure.
Low treatment cost.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
Procedure: At Hong Ngoc General Hospital, radiofrequency ablation is performed by using high-frequency alternating current delivered through a specialized needle to generate heat, which destroys the thyroid nodule.
Advantages:
Performed quickly with advanced technology
Minimally painful, preserves thyroid function and surrounding structures
No open surgery required, ensuring excellent cosmetic outcomes without scarring
Surgical removal of thyroid nodules
Surgery is indicated when the thyroid nodule becomes too large, causing compression of surrounding tissues that leads to breathing difficulties and significantly affects the patient’s quality of life. Currently, there are two surgical methods: open surgery and endoscopic surgery. However, due to the limitations of open surgery, modern hospitals today more commonly apply endoscopic thyroidectomy via the transoral approach.
Procedure:
The surgeon makes a small 5–10 mm incision in the lower lip vestibule, allowing access to both thyroid lobes.
Central neck lymph node dissection is performed through the transoral route.
Advantages:
Within 12 hours after surgery, patients can move their mouth, eat soft foods such as porridge, drink milk, and are typically discharged after 5–6 days.
The procedure leaves no visible scar, ensuring optimal cosmetic outcomes.
Note: The information provided in this article by Hong Ngoc General Hospital is for reference only and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. To obtain an accurate assessment of their condition, patients should visit reputable healthcare facilities for direct consultation and appropriate treatment planning by qualified physicians.
Follow the official fanpage of Hong Ngoc General Hospital for more useful health information.
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