Patients are advised to first diagnose their nodule type, size, nodule mobility, presence of other thyroid symptoms and a combination of other factors to assess. Malignant nodules usually require surgery and a period of post-operative medication, even for life. Benign nodules do not require intervention if there is no tracheo-oesophageal compression or if they do not affect their appearance or normal life, but regular reviews are needed to determine the growth rate of the nodule and to prevent abnormal enlargement or cancer. Nodules, whether benign or malignant, should be treated surgically once they have caused symptoms such as breathlessness and swallowing difficulties in the patient.
Sometimes a patient has other thyroid conditions in addition to the nodule, and a comprehensive assessment by a doctor is needed to determine whether a therapeutic intervention is needed, and patients should not take medication without permission to prevent aggravation.