Types and Causes of Thyroid Nodules

Although thyroid nodules are common, and benign, you would want to make sure that your condition does not belong to the 5 percent cancerous nodules. In most cases, women are more at risk to developing thyroid nodules than men, particularly when they are over 60 years old. But when thyroid nodules occur in men, the likelihood of being cancerous is higher than for women. Children may also develop thyroid nodules, although it is often rarer than in adults. Like men, once they are found in children, nodules are likely to be malignant.

Thyroid nodules can develop in two ways, singly or in clusters (called multinodular goitres). In most cases, single thyroid nodules are more cancerous than multinodular goitres.

Types of Thyroid Nodules

Colloid nodules. Almost seventy percent of all thyroid nodules are colloid. These are benign tumours with distinctly defined follicles. Each follicle carries a pool of protein: a colloid, hence the name colloid nodule. You may develop one or many of these thyroid nodules. Colloid nodules may become rather large, but they do not spread outside the confines of the thyroid gland.

Follicular adenomas. Follicular adenomas are made up of several microfollicles. However, the interior of these microfollicles are empty, as if they had been drained of all contents. Although follicular adenomas are benign nodules, they can be hard to distinguish from follicular cancer. In fact, it has been found that 15 percent of follicular neoplasms (this term refers to both follicular adenomas and cancers) are malignant.

Thyroid cysts. These are lumps that are filled with fluid. They can either be simple or complex cysts. When your cyst is simple, it means that it is benign and consists only of fluid. Complex cysts, on the other hand, are made up of a combination of fluid and solid matter, and can be cancerous.

Inflammatory nodules. Thyroiditis or chronic inflammation can cause inflammatory nodules. These thyroid nodules are often detectable by ultrasound and are no cause for worry since they usually disappear when the inflammation is gone. Inflammatory nodules may also occur after you become pregnant.

Cancerous nodules. These thyroid nodules can be large, hard lumps at least 3 cm. You may be at risk of developing a cancerous nodule if tendencies to cancer of the thyroid or other endocrine glands run in your family history; or if you have had a radiation therapy to treat your acne or other face/head conditions; or if you are below 20 years old or more than 60 years of age.

Causes of Thyroid Nodules

The cause of thyroid nodules has not yet been known. However, there are some risk factors that may make you susceptible to this type of condition. These may include, but are not limited to:

* A lack of iodine in your diet;
* A pre-existing thyroid disorder such as Graves’ or Hashimoto’s disease; and
* A family member with benign thyroid nodules.

As soon as you, your family or friends notice some visible nodules, you have to consult with your doctor immediately to rule out the possibility of thyroid cancer or even a mild hyperthyroidism.