What are the clinical manifestations of thyroid adenomas

What are the clinical manifestations of thyroid adenoma? To answer this question, you must know what thyroid adenoma is. It is a benign tumor. Everyone will be very scared when they hear about tumors, which makes people panic. But this is benign, so don't panic too much. As long as you know its symptoms, discover it early, and then take measures, there will be no big problems. Let's take a look at its clinical manifestations.

Thyroid adenoma is a benign tumor originating from thyroid follicular cells. It is currently believed that the disease is mostly monoclonal and is caused by stimulation similar to thyroid cancer. It often occurs during the active period of thyroid function. Clinically, it is divided into two types: follicular and papillary solid adenomas, with the former being more common. It is usually a single well-defined nodule within the thyroid capsule with an intact capsule. The size ranges from less than 1 to 10 cm.

The disease progresses slowly, usually over months to years or even longer, and the patient is found to have a neck mass due to slight discomfort or without any symptoms. Most of them are single, round or oval, with a smooth surface, clear boundaries, and a tough texture. They have no adhesion to surrounding tissues, are painless, and can move up and down with swallowing. The tumor is usually several centimeters in diameter, and giant tumors are rare. Large tumors may cause signs of compression of adjacent organs but do not invade these organs. In a small number of patients, the tumor will suddenly increase in size due to intratumoral bleeding, accompanied by swelling and pain; some lumps will gradually be absorbed and shrink; some may undergo cystic changes. For patients with a long medical history, the tumor often becomes hard due to calcification; some may develop into functional autonomous adenomas, causing hyperthyroidism.

Some thyroid adenomas may become cancerous, with a canceration rate of 10% to 20%. The possibility of malignant transformation should be considered in patients with the following conditions: ① The tumor has grown rapidly in recent times. ②The tumor movement is restricted or fixed. ③Compression symptoms such as hoarseness and difficulty breathing occur. ④The tumor is hard and has a rough surface. ⑤Swelling of cervical lymph nodes occurs.

1. Nodular goiter Thyroid adenoma is mainly differentiated from nodular goiter. Although the latter has a single nodule, the thyroid gland is often generally enlarged, which makes it easy to identify. Generally speaking, a single nodule of an adenoma remains single for a long time, while a nodular goiter often becomes multiple nodules after a long course of illness. In addition, in areas where goiter is prevalent, it is often diagnosed as nodular goiter, while in non-prevalent areas, it is often diagnosed as thyroid adenoma. Pathologically, the solitary nodule of thyroid adenoma has a complete capsule and clear boundaries. The solitary nodule of nodular goiter has no complete capsule and unclear boundaries.

2. Thyroid cancer Thyroid adenoma should also be differentiated from thyroid cancer, the latter of which may manifest as hard nodules in the thyroid gland with an uneven surface, unclear boundaries, enlarged cervical lymph nodes, and may be accompanied by hoarseness, Horner's syndrome, etc.

Don't be scared when you hear about tumors, because in many cases the patient's excessive anxiety causes the tumor to worsen. So keep a normal mind, be cheerful, and rehabilitate according to the doctor's advice. Of course, discover the problem early and take measures early to nip the disease in the bud. After all, this disease does not have a high incidence rate. Remember one thing, don't be careless.