Should benign nodules be removed?

Benign nodules are usually not removed unless they grow over time or cause symptoms such as difficulty swallowing or choking. Laser ablation therapy for benign thyroid nodules is a relatively new, non-surgical procedure.

When should benign thyroid nodules be removed?

Some potential indications for removing benign thyroid nodules include: The thyroid nodule is large (producing a visible mass in the neck) The thyroid nodule is producing symptoms on the breathing tube or swallowing tube. The thyroid nodule is producing excessive thyroid hormone.

Do nodules need to be removed?

In addition to posing a cancer risk, nodules may also need to be removed if they grow very large (greater than four centimeters) and cause symptoms like difficulty swallowing, neck discomfort, hoarseness of the voice, and airway compression with shortness of breath.

What size benign thyroid nodule should be removed?

Thyroid nodules are often diagnosed as benign by needle biopsy during a patient evaluation. Although these nodules are benign, almost all of them will enlarge or grow over time. Thus, size is one reason for benign thyroid nodule surgery. Any nodule that is 4 cm or larger should be removed with thyroid nodule surgery.

Can benign nodules turn to cancer?

Nodules that start as benign rarely turn cancerous. However, your endocrinologist will likely perform occasional biopsies to rule out the possibility. If your nodule is hot, or overproducing thyroid hormones, your endocrinologist will probably use radioactive iodine or surgery to eliminate the nodule.

Thyroid Cancer Q&A: Do Benign Thyroid Nodules Need To Be Removed? | Boston Children’s Hospital

Do benign nodules grow?

Size of the nodule: Your healthcare provider may chart the rate of growth of your nodule. The smaller the nodule, the more likely it is to be benign. Also, benign nodules grow very slowly, if at all, while cancerous nodules on average can double in size every four months or less.

How fast do benign nodules grow?

More importantly, most nodules, whether they are benign or cancerous, either are stable or grown <2 mm/year. This is helpful in the long term management of thyroid nodules.

Can you live with benign thyroid nodules?

The prognosis for noncancerous (benign) thyroid nodules is great. They often don't need treatment, and only about 1% of benign thyroid nodules cause thyroid disease, which is treatable.

Should I worry about benign thyroid nodule?

Although most thyroid nodules are noncancerous and don't cause problems, ask your doctor to evaluate any unusual swelling in your neck, especially if you have trouble breathing or swallowing. It's important to evaluate the possibility of cancer.

Can thyroid nodules be left untreated?

Most thyroid nodules are benign (non-cancerous) and cause no problems if left untreated. However, approximately 5 to 10 percent of thyroid nodules are cancerous – but even then, a patient might not need surgery right away because most thyroid cancers grow slowly.

Can you live with nodules?

About 40 percent of pulmonary nodules turn out to be cancerous. Half of all patients treated for a cancerous pulmonary nodule live at least five years past the diagnosis. But if the nodule is one centimeter across or smaller, survival after five years rises to 80 percent.

Are nodules anything to worry about?

Many people have lung nodules. These abnormal growths are rarely cancerous. Respiratory illnesses and infections can cause nodules to form in the lungs. Most lung nodules are not a sign of lung cancer and don't require treatment.

Can non cancerous nodules be removed?

A noncancerous nodule may sometimes require surgery if it's so large that it makes it hard to breathe or swallow. Doctors may also consider surgery for people with large multinodular goiters, particularly when the goiters constrict airways, the esophagus or blood vessels.

How are benign thyroid nodules treated?

How are thyroid nodules treated? Most patients who appear to have benign nodules require no specific treatment. Some physicians prescribe the hormone levothyroxine with hopes of preventing nodule growth or reducing the size of cold nodules. Radioiodine may be used to treat hot nodules.

Do benign thyroid nodules require long term follow up?

In summary, current guidelines recommend repeat evaluation of a benign thyroid nodule after 1–2 years, which is only based on expert opinion. This study suggests that this recommendation can be safely extended to 3 years without increased malignancy and mortality risk, or likelihood of harm.

Can a benign thyroid nodule be removed without removing the thyroid?

Now there's an effective alternative to surgery: radiofrequency ablation, a treatment that uses heat to shrink nodules from the inside. UT Southwestern is one of the few health centers in the U.S. to offer radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for benign thyroid nodules.

What causes benign thyroid nodules to grow?

Most thyroid nodules grow due to thyroid autoimmunity or iodine deficiency or excess, but cancer can also cause a small percentage of cases. If your thyroid nodule is growing, make an appointment to see your doctor.

How common are benign thyroid nodules?

The vast majority — more than 95% — of thyroid nodules are benign (noncancerous). If concern arises about the possibility of cancer, the doctor may simply recommend monitoring the nodule over time to see if it grows. Ultrasound can help evaluate a thyroid nodule and determine the need for biopsy.

What causes benign thyroid nodules?

The cause of most benign nodules is not known, but they are often found in members of the same family. Worldwide, lack of iodine in the diet is a very common cause of nodules. Thyroid nodules become more common with increasing age. Most thyroid nodules are found during a routine physical exam.

How do you get rid of thyroid nodules without surgery?

When surgery is contraindicated or refused, several nonsurgical approaches are available. These include levothyroxine therapy, radioiodine treatment, percutaneous ethanol injections, and the new technique of laser photocoagulation.

Can a benign thyroid nodule become malignant?

Conclusion: Some benign thyroid nodules have malignant potential. Further molecular testing of these tumors can shed light on the pathogenesis of early malignant transformation.

What is the most common cause of thyroid nodules?

We do not know what causes most thyroid nodules but they are extremely common. By age 60, about one-half of all people have a thyroid nodule that can be found either through examination or with imaging. Fortunately, over 90% of such nodules are benign.

Can benign nodules spread?

Benign nodules are noncancerous and do not spread to other parts of the body. Malignant nodules are cancerous and can grow or spread quickly. Lung nodules are very common — in adults, they are visible on up to 50% of chest CT scans.

At what size does a nodule become a mass?

Nodules greater than 10 mm in diameter should be biopsied or removed due to the 80 percent probability that they are malignant. Nodules greater than 3 cm are referred to as lung masses.

Can nodules turn into tumors?

Most nodules are noncancerous (benign), and a benign nodule will not turn into cancer. But some nodules turn out to be cancerous (malignant). Small nodules, especially those that are smaller than 1 centimeter, are rarely cancerous.