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Thyroid Nodules (cont.)

Medical Author:
Ruchi Mathur, MD, FRCP(C)

Ruchi Mathur, MD, FRCP(C) is an Attending Physician with the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism and Associate Director of Clinical Research, Recruitment and Phenotyping with the Center for Androgen Related Disorders, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

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Medical Editor:
Jay W. Marks, MD
Jay W. Marks, MD
Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

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Thyroid Nodules At A Glance

  • Thyroid nodules are the most common endocrine problem in the United States.
  • The vast majority of thyroid nodules are benign.
  • Individuals with thyroid nodules at the extremes of age, and males with thyroid nodules have a higher likelihood of having a cancerous nodule. Exposure to radiation also increases the probability that a nodule is cancerous.
  • Cancer is more of a concern with a solitary nodule than with multiple nodules.
  • A nodule in a normally-functioning gland is more likely to be cancerous than a nodule in a gland that is hyperfunctioning.
  • A diagnosis of thyroid cancer is aided by ultrasound and radionuclide scanning, but is best made by fine needle aspiration. Caution should be used, however, since there is a possibility that the aspiration may give an incorrect diagnosis or be unable to make a diagnosis (non-diagnostic aspirate).
  • Nodules that are hyperfunctioning require treatment aimed at controlling the signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
  • Cancerous nodules or those that are highly suspicious for cancer should be removed, while the rest should be followed closely and reassessed frequently.

Last Editorial Review: 11/13/2007


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