Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy of the Thyroid

Revising Medical Author: Ruchi Mathur, M.D.
Revising Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

• What are thyroid nodules?
• What is the initial assessment of a thyroid nodule?
• Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of the thyroid gland - why is it done?
• Should fine needle aspiration biopsy be done on all thyroid nodules?
• How is fine needle aspiration biopsy performed?
• What are the complications of fine needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid?
• What happens to the thyroid tissue obtained at the fine needle aspiration biopsy?
• Summary
• Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy At A Glance

What are thyroid nodules?

The thyroid gland is found in the neck just below the "Adam's apple." This gland is responsible for producing thyroid hormone, which is an important hormone that stimulates the metabolism of the body. Between 4% and 7% of people in the United States have lumps (or nodules) in their thyroid gland that can be felt on examination. Like many things, the thyroid gland gets "lumpier" as we get older and the frequency of these nodules increases with age. In fact, many are found incidentally during routine examinations or radiology testing. Thyroid nodules are also more common in women than in men. In fact, ultrasound studies have found that up to one in every three women has at least one thyroid nodule that may be too small to notice. (Usually, a nodule needs to be greater than one centimeter in diameter for it to be felt.). Interestingly, because women have so many more nodules than men, the incidence of detected cancer is higher in women then in men by virtue of absolute numbers. However, each individual nodule is more likely to be cancerous if found in a man.

Doctors always hold a degree of concern whenever a new growth is detected on the body, regardless of the tissue involved. The concern is whether or not the growth or nodule is cancer (malignant). Fortunately, fewer than 10% of thyroid nodules are malignant. The majority of thyroid nodules are harmless growths, known as adenomas, and are contained within a capsule. Even though cancerous nodules are uncommon, the doctor will take the necessary measures to be certain.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

Thyroid Nodules - Thyroid nodules can be either benign or malignant (cancerous). The majority of thyroid nodules are benign. Source:MedicineNet Thyroid Cancer - Read about thyroid cancer symptoms, diagnosis, treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, radioactive iodine), types (papillary, follicular, medullary, anaplastic), and causes. Source:Government Thyroid Blood Tests - Read about thyroid blood tests, which are used to diagnose disease of the thyroid such as hyperthyroidism and hyperthyroidism, as well as point to other diseases of the thyroid gland. Source:MedicineNet Read 10 more Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy of the Thyroid related articles ... So Much to Do, So Little Sleep Head Injuries All Too Common in Summer Play Health Tip: The Word on Wisdom Teeth Health Tip: Make Exercise a Daily Habit New Source of Heart Stem Cells Found Health Highlights: June 23, 2008 Poorer Patients Have Poorer Survival After Cancer Diagnosis One Gene May Be Key to Myeloma Crocodile Babies Cry Out for Hatching Immune Molecule Key to Preventing Organ Rejection