Just with the conclusion "thyroid node detection" on the ultrasound sheet, many people are worried because they think they have cancer. However, according to BS.CKII Truong Bao Anh Minh (Department of Endocrinology, Thu Duc Regional General Hospital), most thyroid nodes are benign and do not require immediate treatment.
The thyroid nodules are abnormal masses that appear in the thyroid gland. These masses can be cysts containing fluid, benign tumors, thyroiditis, or less commonly thyroid cancer.
According to doctors, this is a very common endocrine disease. If only examined by hand, about 4-7% of adults can detect thyroid nodules. However, thanks to ultrasound, the detection rate increases to about 20-70%. This means that for about 3 people having thyroid ultrasound, 1 person is detected with at least one thyroid nodule.
The increasing number of cases detected is mainly due to modern diagnostic methods such as ultrasound, CT or MRI being used more commonly, not necessarily because the disease increases suddenly.
Notably, about 90% of cases have no symptoms. Patients are usually only accidentally detected during health check-ups. Only when the nucleus grows larger can it cause a feeling of neck squeezure, suffocation, shortness of breath or palpation of the nucleus in the neck area. If the nucleus grows rapidly, accompanied by prolonged hoarseness or the appearance of neck lymph nodes, patients need to be examined early to rule out the risk of malignacy.
BS.CKII Truong Bao Anh Minh said that about 90-95% of thyroid nodules are benign, only about 5-10% are at risk of cancer. Therefore, detecting thyroid nodules does not mean having thyroid cancer.
To accurately assess, the doctor will prescribe thyroid hormone (TSH) tests and ultrasounds. Ultrasound images are classified according to the TI-RADS system to estimate the risk of malignancy. Only cases with suspected characteristics or large enough size require microneedling aspiration (FNA). Not all thyroid nodules require biopsy or surgery.
Dr. Minh said that after detecting thyroid nodules, patients should not be too worried and should not arbitrarily use products advertised to have the effect of "dissolving thyroid nodules". The important thing is to see a endocrinology specialist, perform necessary tests and re-examine on schedule for monitoring or treatment when indicated. Early detection combined with proper monitoring will help control the disease effectively and avoid unnecessary interventions.
