For this test, a person swallows a pill containing a small amount of radioactive iodine or another radioactive substance. The thyroid absorbs the radioactive substance.
Then a special camera measures where the radioactive substance is taken up by the thyroid gland. This gives the doctor a better picture of the location, size, and type of thyroid nodule.
Depending on the test results, a goiter might not need to be treated. If it does, treating the thyroid disease causing the goiter usually will decrease or control the enlargement. Surgery might be needed if the thyroid keeps getting bigger even with treatment and causes discomfort or a very large lump in the neck.
Thyroid nodules don't always need treatment. Many nodules cause no symptoms and may even get smaller over time. Thyroid nodules may need treatment if they grow or cause symptoms, or if there is concern that it could be a cancer.
Surgery is the preferred treatment for thyroid nodules in children. This might involve removing part of or all the thyroid gland. If needed, surgery is done in a hospital under general anesthesia , so the child is asleep and feels nothing. If only part of the thyroid is removed and the rest of the gland is healthy, a child may not need to take a thyroid hormone after surgery. If the rest of the gland isn't healthy or if the whole thyroid is removed, the child will need to take a thyroid hormone.
Thyroid cancer is relatively uncommon. When it does happen, it is very treatable. Most thyroid cancers can be cured or controlled with treatment. Reviewed by: Anthony W. Gannon, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is the Thyroid? People who get this type of goiter usually live in areas where iodine is scarce. The cause of a nontoxic goiter is usually unknown, though it may be caused by medications like lithium.
Lithium is used to treat mood disorders such as bipolar disorder. This type of goiter forms one or more small nodules as it enlarges.
The nodules produce their own thyroid hormone, causing hyperthyroidism. It generally forms as an extension of a simple goiter. Your doctor will check for neck for swelling. Blood tests can detect changes in hormone levels and an increased production of antibodies, which are produced in response to an infection or injury or overactivity of immune system. Your doctor may order scans of your thyroid.
This is usually done when your thyroid level is elevated. These scans show the size and condition of your goiter, overactivity of some parts or whole thyroid. An ultrasound produces images of your neck, the size of your goiter, and whether there are nodules. Over time, an ultrasound can track changes in those nodules and the goiter.
A biopsy is a procedure that involves taking small samples of your thyroid nodules if present. The samples are sent to a laboratory for examination. Your doctor will decide on a course of treatment based on the size and condition of your goiter, and symptoms associated with it.
Although most goitres are non-cancerous, it's estimated that in 1 in 20 cases they may be a sign of thyroid cancer. Anyone can develop a goitre, but the chances increase with age. Women are also more likely to develop a goitre. Page last reviewed: 15 April Next review due: 15 April A goiter is used to describe any enlarged thyroid gland. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in your neck. Your doctor will evaluate each nodule by ultrasound and determine if any require a biopsy, to test for the presence of cancer.
The most common cause of a goiter worldwide is a lack of iodine in the diet. In the United States, where iodized salt is readily available, goiters may be a result of the over- or underproduction of the thyroid hormone or the presence of nodules in the thyroid itself. Johns Hopkins head and neck surgeons provide specialized care for thyroid and parathyroid conditions.
0コメント