Question 1

What is a circumscribed thyroid nodule exactly?

Accepted Answer

Circumscribed, on an ultrasound report, describes how distinct the border is between the nodule and the normal thyroid tissue.  It would usually be preceded by "well" for nodules with sharp outlines, or "poorly" for nodules with blurred outlines.

Question 2

What is a hypoechoic thyroid nodule exactly?

Accepted Answer

Hypoechoic describes the appearance of a nodule on ultrasound (us).  It refers to a nodule that reflects back fewer sound waves compared to the normal thyroid tissue around it.  While most thyroid cancers are hypoechoic, most hypoechoic nodules are not cancers.  But a hypoechoic nodule may have a slightly higher risk of being a cancer than other nodules.

Question 3

Bilateral thyroid nodules?

Accepted Answer

You may need an ultrasound guided biopsy.

Question 4

Are thyroid nodules common?

Accepted Answer

Thyroid nodules occur in up to 50% of the worlds population. Modern ultrasound equipment can detect very small nodules that were not detectable with older machines. Only about 5% of nodules are cancerous. Nodules tend to increase in frequency as one matures.

Question 5

Can thyroid nodules shrink?

Accepted Answer

Most thyroid nodules remain stable over many years.  Some can increase in size and some can decrease.  It depends on the composition of the nodule.

Question 6

Medicine for thyroid nodule?

Accepted Answer

3 major categories of potential health issues caused by thyroid nodules: a) large size affecting swallowing, breathing, voice ; b) over active production of thyroid hormone (hyperthyroid) ; and c) ~5% of nodules are cancer. Methimazole and ptu (propylthiouracil) are pills that block thyroid hormone production, treating b) above. Radioactive  i-131 can shrink/destroy nodule, treating a) and b). Need surgery for c).

Question 7

What are thyroid nodules from?

Accepted Answer

Nodules may be single or multiple (multinodular goiter) and may be due to benign colloid accumulations or 10% of the time cancer. See a thyroidologist to get a fine needle aspiration of any nodules that look suspicious on ultrasound.

Question 8

Are thyroid nodules moveable?

Accepted Answer

They will move upward with the rest of the gland when you swallow, and you can move them just as you can move your larynx and trachea once you know your way around your neck. Your physician can help you make the distinction from a lymph node or other mass.

Question 9

What can thyroid nodules mean?

Accepted Answer

Thyroid nodules are very common in the population, especially in women.  Most are benign.  Biopsy is indicated if they are larger than 1 cm in size and mostly solid.  Thyroid function should also be assessed.

Question 10

How is a thyroid nodule treated?

Accepted Answer

Most nodules are initially treated with a biopsy. Additional therapy, if any, will depend on the results of that biopsy and any other symptoms or signs associated with that nodule. In truth, the treatment for any thyroid nodule is very individualized and impossible to generalize further.

What is a circumscribed thyroid nodule exactly