What should be paid attention to regarding thyroid cysts?

Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
Updated on September 06, 2024
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Thyroid cysts generally do not show obvious symptoms. When a cyst significantly enlarges or internal bleeding occurs, compressive symptoms or pain may appear. Thyroid cysts can lead to hyperthyroidism, and if persistent, may eventually cause hypothyroidism. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly monitor thyroid function to understand the status of thyroid activity. The treatment of thyroid cysts primarily involves distinguishing whether they are malignant. For thyroid cysts suspected to be malignant, surgical treatment is required. Generally, thyroid cysts are benign and only require regular observation and follow-up.

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Where to massage for a thyroid cyst?

Thyroid cysts refer to fluid-filled sacs that appear in the thyroid gland. The current mechanisms of their development are not very clear and may be related to iodine metabolism, sex hormones, regional factors, dietary habits, and family history. Therefore, massaging will not provide any relief for thyroid cysts. Moreover, when the cysts are relatively large, massaging the affected area may induce the risk of bleeding from the thyroid cysts. Hence, if you have thyroid cysts, do not blindly resort to massage, as it not only lacks benefits but could also potentially lead to the rupture or enlargement of the cysts.

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Which department to see for thyroid cysts?

For which department to consult for thyroid cysts, firstly if it is just a routine physical examination and a thyroid ultrasound reveals a thyroid cyst, it is recommended to first consult the endocrinology department. An assessment of thyroid function should be conducted to see if the thyroid is functioning normally or abnormally. If it is confirmed to be simply a thyroid cyst, then the size of the cyst should be considered in deciding the next steps for treatment. If the cyst is not large and thyroid function is normal, it might be advisable to observe it for some time. If the cyst causes symptoms due to compression, surgical treatment in the department of surgery might be necessary, or dealing with the thyroid cyst using techniques such as radiofrequency ablation could be considered. Therefore, it is advised to first visit the endocrinology department and, based on the opinion of the endocrinologist, if surgical intervention is needed, then consult the breast and thyroid surgery department.

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Are thyroid cysts dangerous?

Generally speaking, thyroid cysts are benign lesions and are not dangerous. First, let's understand what thyroid cysts are. A thyroid cyst is a fluid-containing cystic formation found in the thyroid gland. Typically, the lump is round, smooth, painless, or may cause slight pain, and can move up and down with swallowing. Most cysts are solitary nodules, and it is less common to find multiple nodules. Additionally, if the cyst is large or if there is bleeding within the cyst, it can cause symptoms of compression such as pain, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, and hoarseness. We know that about 10% of cystic nodules are malignant, hence, it is important to understand the nature of a thyroid cyst. If it is malignant, surgical removal is necessary. Furthermore, if the nodular cyst is large and causes compression symptoms, surgery is also required. However, most are benign lesions, and thyroid function is within the normal range, so no special treatment is needed, just follow-up observation. Therefore, whether thyroid cysts are dangerous depends on the circumstances.

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Do thyroid cysts require surgery?

Thyroid cysts are relatively common in clinical practice. Whether surgery is necessary depends on two factors. On one hand, it depends on whether the cyst is malignant. If the ultrasound reveals small calcifications within the cyst, or other signs of malignancy, then a fine needle aspiration of the thyroid should be carried out for a pathological examination. If the cyst is confirmed to be malignant, surgery is generally recommended. However, if the examination indicates that the thyroid cyst is benign with a low malignancy level, surgery is usually not required. However, if the thyroid cyst is large, affects appearance, causes significant swallowing difficulties or hinders neck movement, surgery can also be considered.

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Differences between Thyroid Cysts and Nodules

Thyroid cysts and thyroid nodules are different. Generally, thyroid nodules are classified into solid nodules, mixed nodules, and cystic nodules. Most thyroid cysts refer to cystic nodules of the thyroid, meaning that the nodules primarily contain fluid components. Usually, these thyroid cysts are nonfunctional. That is, they contain some fluid, which could be exudate or bloody fluid, but these fluids generally do not cause hormonal level changes. Nodules, on the other hand, often involve functional changes; they can be nodules that produce thyroid hormones or could be cancerous nodules. Therefore, in these respects, thyroid cysts and nodules are different.