Are thyroid follicular nodules serious?

Thyroid follicular nodules are usually common complications, which can cause varying degrees of changes and impacts on the patient's body. First, it will cause repeated hyperplasia of the follicular epithelium and repeated attacks, and the surface is smooth. Thyroid follicular nodules are not serious in the early stages, but patients need to understand some of the early changes and dangers, so that they can pay more attention during treatment and choose some appropriate and principled methods of treatment.

Thyroid follicular hyperplasia

1. During the hyperplastic stage, the thyroid gland is diffusely enlarged and has a smooth surface. Microscopically, the follicular epithelium is hyperplastic and hypertrophic, showing a cubic or columnar shape, maintaining the regeneration of small follicles, with low colloid content and interstitial congestion. There were no significant changes in thyroid function. This stage may be called diffuse hyperplastic goiter.

2. Long-term iodine deficiency during the colloid storage period causes repeated proliferation and involution of the follicular epithelium. A few follicular epithelial cells still show hyperplasia and hypertrophy, maintaining a state of small follicular hyperplasia, but most follicles are significantly enlarged, accumulating a large amount of thick colloid, and the epithelial cells are compressed and flattened. The thyroid gland is diffusely enlarged and can reach 200-300 g (normal 20-40 g) with a smooth surface, no nodules, a soft texture, and a light brown, translucent, jelly-like cross section. This stage can be called diffuse colloid goiter (diffuse colloid goiter).

3. Nodular stage: As the disease progresses, irregular nodules are formed due to inconsistent proliferation and involution of the follicular epithelium in different parts of the thyroid gland. Microscopically, the condition is basically the same as the previous stage, except that some follicles are over-enlarged, with diameters reaching 300 to 400 μm or more, making the size difference of the follicles greater. In some places, there is also follicular epithelial hyperplasia, and some hyperplasia is papillary, which can become cancerous.

Macroscopically the thyroid gland appears more enlarged, with many nodules of varying numbers and sizes. The larger ones can reach several centimeters in diameter. The nodules have clear boundaries, but no capsule or an incomplete capsule, which is significantly different from adenoma. Hemorrhagic necrosis and cystic changes often occur, and the hemorrhagic and necrotic foci may be organized and lead to fibrosis.

2Can thyroid enlargement be cured?

1. Can goiter be cured?

Can goiter be cured? Goiter, commonly known as hyperthyroidism, is a common disease caused by various reasons that lead to enhanced thyroid function and excessive release of thyroid hormones. The choice of method for treating thyroid enlargement is very important. Because everyone's physique and condition are different, the method for patients is not the same. Patients should choose a method that suits them according to their own conditions to treat the disease. Only in this way can good treatment effects be achieved, so thyroid enlargement can be cured.

2. Symptoms of thyroid enlargement

2.1 Dyspnea

It is more common, especially in patients with nodular goiter. For example, if the trachea is compressed and there is a symptom of shortness of breath during movement, when the tumor is too large, the trachea may be displaced, bent or narrowed, causing severe breathing difficulties.

2.2. Congestion of face and neck

Thyroid gland enlargement often causes compression of large blood vessels and jugular vein compression. At this time, blood congestion in the face and neck occurs. If the swollen gland extends to the back of the sternum, it often compresses the large vein trunks. If the superior vena cava is compressed, the venous blood return of the head and neck will be blocked, which can cause facial edema and varicose veins of the neck.