Thyroid nodule
Solid or fluid-filled lumps that form within the thyroid — a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck just below the Adam's apple.
- Treatable by a medical professional
- Requires a medical diagnosis
- Lab tests or imaging often required
- Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong
Most thyroid nodules aren't serious and don't cause symptoms. Only a small percentage of thyroid nodules are cancer. Most people don't know that they have a thyroid nodule until it's found during a routine medical exam or on a scan done for another health reason.
Very common: More than 3 million US cases per year
Consult a doctor for medical advice
Sources: Mayo Clinic and others. Learn more
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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.
Causes. Thyroid nodules are caused by an overgrowth of cells in the thyroid gland. These growths can be: ... Thyroid nodules are very common. They occur more ...
Treating benign nodules. If a thyroid nodule isn't cancerous, treatment options include: Watchful waiting. If a biopsy shows that you have a noncancerous ...
Thyroid cysts are fluid-filled nodules within the thyroid. Pure thyroid cysts are usually benign (non-cancerous).
Nodules can be caused by a simple overgrowth of normal thyroid tissue, fluid-filled cysts, inflammation (thyroiditis) or a tumor (either benign or cancerous).
Although the vast majority of thyroid nodules are benign (noncancerous), a small proportion of thyroid nodules do contain thyroid cancer. In order to diagnose ...