Thyroid gland
When you notice thickening or a lump in the neck, if the enlargement is symmetrical it is usually caused by a diffuse thyroid lesion, if the neck is raised or enlarged asymmetrically, it is usually a thyroid nodule. When there is a thickening of the neck even if there are no uncomfortable symptoms, you should think about whether an enlarged thyroid or other thyroid disease has occurred. In this case, you should go to the hospital promptly. Your doctor can usually tell you whether your thyroid gland is enlarged and whether there is a swelling by palpating the thyroid gland. There are many different thyroid disorders, and those who have an enlarged thyroid gland or a swollen thyroid gland generally need further tests to determine the nature of the thyroid disorder, such as blood tests to check thyroid function and, if necessary, radionuclide and ultrasound examinations of the thyroid gland, or even cytology of thyroid puncture.
When you have symptoms such as fear of heat, excessive sweating, palpitations, anxious temperament, hyperphagia, and weight loss, you should think about the possibility of hyperthyroidism. When you notice symptoms such as fear of cold, swelling, weight gain, dry skin and loss of appetite, you should be aware of the possibility of hypothyroidism. When you feel pain and fever in the neck, especially when you can feel a lump in the thyroid gland and have pressure pain, you should think about the possibility of acute or subacute thyroiditis. If you encounter these conditions, you should visit the endocrinology department of the hospital in time for further examination so that you can get timely diagnosis and reasonable treatment.
Thyroid gland is a common endocrine disease caused by a variety of causes of enhanced or reduced thyroid function, synthesis and secretion of too much or too little thyroid hormone, mainly including: hyperthyroidism (commonly known as hyperthyroidism), hypothyroidism (commonly known as hypothyroidism), thyroiditis, goiter, goiter, thyroid tumor, thyroid cancer.
Thyroid surgery diseases.
Thyroid nodules
A common thyroid disorder. Nodules on the thyroid gland may be thyroid cancer, thyroid adenoma, nodular goiter, and other causes, collectively referred to as thyroid nodules until their nature is clarified.
Main pathological manifestations and hazards.
Clinical manifestations are an enlarged thyroid gland and multiple nodules of varying sizes may be seen to be palpated, with the texture of the nodules being mostly moderately hard. There are few clinical symptoms, only discomfort in the anterior neck area. Thyroid function is mostly normal. However, some patients may develop secondary hyperfunction or cancer.
Generally speaking, multiple thyroid nodules are mostly benign, while single thyroid nodules are more likely to become malignant. Only thyroid cancer is a malignant disease. However, 50% of nodules appearing in childhood are malignant, and young men with nodules should be alerted to the possibility of malignancy, and malignant lesions should be suspected if new nodules or existing nodules increase rapidly in a short period of time. If a new nodule or an existing nodule increases rapidly within a short period of time, malignant lesions should be suspected.
Thyroid adenoma
1.Thyroid adenoma: It is a common benign thyroid tumor that occurs in or near the middle of the neck and is smooth, with clear edges, and can move up and down with swallowing movements.
2, hyperfunctional adenoma: combined with hyperfunctional symptoms, called hyperfunctional adenoma, also known as toxic adenoma, such adenoma is less likely to malignant.
3.Papillary adenoma: If there are papillary changes in the adenoma, it is called papillary adenoma, which is more likely to become malignant.
Thyroid cancer
Thyroid cancer is the most common malignant tumor of the thyroid gland. It consists of several types of cancer with different biological behaviors and pathological types, and is a malignant tumor that originates from the epithelial cells of the thyroid gland.
Mass shape: If the shape resembles a butterfly, it is usually seen in endemic goiter, thyroiditis and some hyperthyroidism; if a round mass appears in a part of the thyroid, it is usually seen in thyroid cyst and thyroid cancer.
Mass size: If the mass is diffusely enlarged or multi-nodular enlargement, it is mostly endemic goiter. However, if the cyst is more than 2 cm in diameter, thyroid cancer should be suspected.
Smoothness and softness of the mass: Touch the surface of the mass carefully with the thumb and index finger; if the surface is smooth, it is more likely to be an endemic goiter; if the surface is not smooth, there is a possibility of thyroiditis. If a single nodule is enlarged and has an unsmooth, solid surface, cancer should be suspected.
The growth rate of the lump: endemic goiter grows slowly and the course of the disease is up to several years; benign tumors and cysts may have a course of several months to several years; while the lump of thyroid cancer grows faster and the swelling is obvious within ten days.
Causes
The exact cause of the disease is difficult to determine.
Complications
The tumor becomes large rapidly and compresses the trachea, infiltrates the esophagus and the laryngeal nerve, resulting in complications such as dyspnea, hoarseness, and obstruction when swallowing food; in severe cases, lung metastases and bone metastases may occur.
Laboratory tests
Five tests of thyroid function
Thyroid autoantibody measurement
Thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb)
Thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb)
Ultrasound and CT of the neck etc.
Treatment: Once a thyroid swelling is identified, surgery should be actively performed.