What should I do if I find a thyroid swelling?

  Thyroid nodules are highly prevalent, most are asymptomatic and are found unintentionally or during routine physical examinations or imaging studies. They are more common in women. Clinical management of thyroid nodules, especially multiple nodules, varies from hospital to hospital and from doctor to doctor. Although several guidelines for the management of thyroid nodules have been published abroad, there are some controversies and geographical differences. Patients with thyroid nodules are most often seen in endocrinology, general surgery and head and neck surgery, so there are also differences between disciplines.  In general, the diagnosis of thyroid nodules is confirmed as early as possible after detection. The first non-invasive test, ultrasound, is performed. The following are available: 1. If it is suggestive of a solitary, solid, indistinct border with abundant blood flow, especially with speckled calcification, the possibility of malignancy should be highly suspected, and a puncture cytology under ultrasound should be performed to confirm the diagnosis when available. Malignant, surgical treatment. Benign, the mass has no compression symptoms and no functional symptoms, follow up.  2, If solitary, cystic, clear borders, benign features, mostly cysts, no puncture, surgical treatment or puncture injection alcohol treatment, laser treatment.  3, multiple nodules, solid or cystic nodules greater than 1 cm in diameter, puncture cytology should be performed, there is rich blood flow, unclear borders, punctate calcification and swollen lymph nodes in the neck and other suspicious malignant, puncture cytology, if the results are benign, thyroid function tests, TSH low, can be recommended sex nuclide examination, except functional adenoma, if there are no functional changes, no pressure symptoms, non-post-thoracic Goiter, follow up, ultrasound review every 6 months, with enlargement or other suspicious malignant changes, re-puncture examination. If the result is malignant, surgery will be performed.  4.Post-thoracic goiter, ultrasonography as well as imaging, thyroid function tests, surgical treatment.  5. In general, those with solitary, solid, poorly defined borders, punctate calcification, abundant blood flow, with enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, inland iodine deficient areas, history of radiation exposure, family history of thyroid cancer, etc. pay high attention.