What are thyroid cysts?

thyroid cysts, also known as thyroid knots, are small bags full of liquid or blood that grow on the thyroid gland. These bags can also be filled with a solid substance that is sometimes an indicator of thyroid cancer. The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland located at the bottom of the human neck on the trachea. As one of the most important glands in the human body, the thyroid gland is involved in many processes, including body metabolism, proteins production and regulation of hormone production.

thyroid cysts can be large enough to look at the base of his neck. A person with larger cysts is more likely to have symptoms that include difficulty swallowing, hoarse or digestion of breathing problems due to the pushes of the cyst on the larynx, esophagus or trachea. Some people can also experience tenderness or lump pain. Thyroid cysts can also cause the gland to excessively produce thyroid hormone, condition called hyperthyroidism or underyreosis. Small cysts can be less than about 0.1 inches (3 millimeters) and these small nodes usually do not be unnoticed, because they rarely create any symptoms.

The physician carefully evaluates the thyroid and cysts to determine how many are and whether the surrounding lymph nodes are abnormal, which could indicate cancer. The doctor usually orders blood tests to determine the levels of hormones produced by the thyroid gland, and he or she could also complete the ultrasound at the base of the neck to explore the cysts and look for masses. Aspiration biopsy with a fine needle can also be performed to determine whether the cysts are benign or whether they could be cancer. If the results are suspected or cysts affect other organs in the throat, the person will most likely undergo surgery to remove cysts.

If the thyroid glands are determined as benign, the doctor usually continues to monitorthyroid for growth or abnormalities. The doctor may feel that the cyst is necessary, and he or she can prescribe the therapy of suppressing thyroid hormones or the radioactive iodine regime. Only about 5 percent of benign cysts develop in cancer tissue.

For thyroid cysts, there is no definitive cause, but many doctors believe that they develop more often in people who have a lack of iodine or a genetic defect that affects the thyroid gland. Thyroid cysts are also more likely in someone with hashimoto disease, a condition that destroys the thyroid gland; with hyperfunctional thyroid; Or a person who had a multinodular goiter. Women and those who have a family history of thyroid problems are much more likely to develop cysts.