What does a solid thyroid nodule mean?
Solid nodules have little fluid or colloid and are more likely to be cancerous. Still, most solid nodules are not cancer. Some types of solid nodules, such as hyperplastic nodules and adenomas, have too many cells, but the cells are not cancer cells.
Are solid thyroid nodules normal?
Thyroid nodules are very common, especially in the U.S. In fact, experts estimate that about half of Americans will have one by the time they’re 60 years old. Some are solid, and some are fluid-filled cysts. Others are mixed. Because many thyroid nodules don’t have symptoms, people may not even know they’re there.
What is a solid and cystic thyroid nodule?
Thyroid nodules are solid or fluid-filled lumps that form within your thyroid, a small gland located at the base of your neck, just above your breastbone. Most thyroid nodules aren’t serious and don’t cause symptoms. Only a small percentage of thyroid nodules are cancerous.
When should I be concerned about thyroid nodules?
Conclusions: Increasing thyroid nodule size impacts cancer risk in a nonlinear fashion. A threshold is detected at 2.0 cm, beyond which cancer risk is unchanged. However, the risk of follicular carcinomas and other rare thyroid malignancies increases as nodules enlarge.
Can solid thyroid nodules disappear?
The nodule may go away on its own or stay the same size. Patients treated this way should be checked by their doctor every 6 months to monitor the growth of the nodule. As long as the nodule does not grow, there’s usually no need to worry.
What is the average size of a cancerous thyroid nodule?
When the analysis of nodule size was compared with the type and distribution of thyroid malignancy, a significant relationship was detected. The majority of cancer cases, having a nodular size of 1.0-1.9 cm, were diagnosed as papillary carcinoma, and 61.9% of cancerous nodules ≥4 cm were follicular carcinomas.