Causes
The nodules in the thyroid gland are pathological areas that grow against the remaining cells of the thyroid gland. The cause can be an adenoma. This is a benign tumor.
Although they do not spread and thus do not lead to metastases, they can produce excess hormones that can harm the patient. This can be heart palpitations, trembling, sweating, weight loss but also ravenous appetite. However, the adenomas can be very well counteracted by surgery or by destruction with radioiodine therapy.
Once the adenomas are removed, the hormone balance usually returns to normal. Another cause can be cysts. The cyst is a hollow space in the tissue, which can be filled differently.
In addition to air, tissue fluid, blood, sebum and pus can also accumulate here. Calcifications and scars can also be a cause. Unfortunately, malignant enlargements of the thyroid gland, i.e. thyroid cancer (Struma maligna), are also frequently found.
In countries where there is no iodine deficiency, benign growths are very rare. Unfortunately, however, malignant tumors are found much more frequently. These can be very dangerous. As with any cancer, it depends on the stage at which the disease was discovered. As mentioned above, there is a great danger that unborn children or infants, as well as small children, will not develop mentally properly.
Diagnosis
A lump can be diagnosed either by a physical examination: in this case, however, the lump must have reached a certain size so that it can be palpated from the outside. Or by ultrasound and thyroid scintigraphy. To determine whether the lump is benign or malignant, some tissue should be removed (biopsy) and examined.
The blood count can show hormone imbalances and thus directly diagnose cold or hot nodules. A sufficient anamnesis should not be missing in any case. Hormone imbalances can be determined in the blood count and thus a direct diagnosis of cold or hot nodules can be made. A sufficient anamnesis must not be missing in any case.
