In our daily lives, health is always the focus of our attention. However, with the rapid pace of life and the increase of work pressure, more and more health problems gradually emerge, and thyroid nodules are one of them. In recent years, the incidence of thyroid nodules has gradually increased, which has attracted widespread attention. The following will focus on thyroid nodules, answer common questions for you, and ** whether thyroid nodules can be removed in advance to prevent cancer.
1. What is a thyroid nodule?
Thyroid nodules are lumps that appear inside the thyroid gland and are a high-incidence thyroid disease. The incidence of thyroid nodules varies by age, sex, and geographic region, with women and older people more likely to develop thyroid nodules.
2. What are the symptoms of thyroid nodules?
Thyroid nodules are mostly asymptomatic and are usually detected during a physical examination or during an imaging test of the neck for other reasons. In a few cases, thyroid nodules may cause symptoms such as neck discomfort, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and more. If thyroid nodules secrete too much thyroid hormone, it may lead to hyperthyroidism, insomnia, heart palpitations, weight loss and other symptoms.
3. How to diagnose thyroid nodules
The diagnosis of thyroid nodules is based on clinical examination and imaging. The doctor will make a preliminary diagnosis based on the patient's signs, symptoms, medical history, etc. Imaging examinations include ultrasound, CT, MRI, etc., which can help doctors understand the morphology, size, internal echo and other characteristics of thyroid nodules, so as to determine the nature of the nodules. Thyroid nodules can also be confirmed by a fine-needle aspiration biopsy.
4. Whether the thyroid nodule will become cancerous
Although most thyroid nodules are benign in nature, there is still some risk of cancer. Types of thyroid cancer include papillary carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, follicular carcinoma and undifferentiated carcinoma, among which papillary carcinoma and follicular carcinoma have a relatively good prognosis. The risk of thyroid nodules becoming cancerous is related to factors such as the shape, size, and internal echo of the nodules. In general, nodules larger than 1 cm in diameter have a higher risk of becoming cancerous with irregular morphology and uneven internal echo.
5. Whether the thyroid nodule can be removed in advance to prevent cancer
For thyroid nodules that are at risk of becoming cancerous, early removal is an effective preventative measure. However, not all thyroid nodules need to be removed. The doctor will make a comprehensive decision on whether surgery is needed based on factors such as the nature, size, and growth rate of the thyroid nodule. For benign nodules, surgery is generally not needed if they do not cause discomfort or are unsightly. For nodules that are at risk of becoming cancerous, your doctor will recommend surgical removal and postoperative pathological examination to determine whether it is cancerous.
6. How to prevent thyroid nodules
1. Eat a healthy diet
Maintain a balanced diet and make sure you get enough iodine. Iodine is an important element in the thyroid gland for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, but excessive intake or deficiency can affect thyroid health. It is recommended to consume the right amount of iodine through foods (e.g. seaweed, seafood, iodized salt, etc.).
2. Avoid radiation exposure
Long-term exposure to radioactive materials is one of the risk factors for thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. Therefore, try to avoid unnecessary medical radiation, such as non-essential X-rays, etc.
3. Control pressure
Long-term mental stress and mood swings can affect thyroid function. Managing stress with proper rest, exercise, meditation, yoga, and more can help maintain thyroid health.
4. Regular physical examination
Regular thyroid-related physical examinations, including neck palpation and thyroid ultrasound, can detect thyroid nodules early and be performed in a timely manner**.
Let's face thyroid nodules with a scientific attitude, neither overly worrying nor ignoring the potential risks, and jointly maintain health!