Are prostate nodules cancerous? Not all of them are

Nodules may develop into cancer, but not all nodules will turn into cancer. Currently, more than 90% of thyroid nodules are benign nodules, which are very stable and will not develop; although prostate nodules will increase with age, the incidence rate is not high. Most nodules are benign and there is no need to worry too much.

Since nodules can potentially develop into cancer, it is completely understandable that the public is afraid of them and is at a loss, especially in today's society, where the detection rate of various types of nodules is increasing year by year. A survey conducted in 2011 showed that the incidence of thyroid nodules in the general population was 18.6%, which means that one in every five people has a nodule.

The incidence of thyroid nodules is increasing year by year, not only because the number of nodules themselves has increased, but also to a large extent because of the progress of contemporary medicine, which allows people to discover them earlier, faster and more frequently.

Although nodules may develop into cancer, they are actually far away from cancer. Wang Jiansheng, chief physician of the Department of Oncology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, pointed out that the cause of nodules is still unclear. It is just a descriptive term, which mainly refers to the size and nature of the lesions. If it is necessary to determine whether it is benign or malignant, further examination is required.

Most nodules are benign

At present, more than 90% of thyroid nodules are benign nodules, and it can even be said that more than 95% are benign. Even for malignant thyroid tumors, more than 95% are papillary carcinomas, which are inert tumors that do not metastasize or progress. Therefore, there is a joke in the doctor circle: "If I must get a cancer in my life, I choose thyroid cancer." The incidence of prostate nodules increases significantly with age. Half of 50-year-olds can be diagnosed with tiny prostate cancer, but this is in the preclinical stage, and there are not so many prostate cancers in reality. Tiny prostate cancer is like a dead volcano, and only a very small part of it is an active volcano. Although lung nodules are common in Asia, only 10% to 20% are malignant, and most are benign, so there is no need to worry too much.

The risk of cancer is minimal

Many people worry that nodules may turn into cancer. In fact, "cancer" itself is a wrong concept. "Yes, it is, and no, it is not." Some patients think that "cancer" may be due to the initial failure to make a clear diagnosis and negligence.

Thyroid adenomatous nodules and papillary thyroid carcinoma are completely unrelated in genetic evolution. Thyroid cancer is more likely to develop directly from normal thyroid gland, rather than becoming a benign nodule and then further evolving into thyroid cancer as previously believed.

Treatment cannot be "one size fits all"

As you age, it is inevitable that you will develop various nodules on your body, but you cannot "take cold medicine every time you sneeze". Generally, benign nodules are followed up for 3 to 6 months. If there is no significant development within 1 to 2 years, you basically don't need to worry about it. Never rashly remove the nodules for peace of mind, otherwise it may damage blood vessels and nerves. Surgery can only be considered when the periphery of the nodule is uneven, there is a lot of calcification, blood flow is abnormal, and it compresses nerves and organs or affects the appearance.

Generally speaking, lung nodules with a diameter of less than 4 mm are mostly benign, and those above 8 mm may have problems, but further examination is required to measure the necessity of surgery according to standard guidelines. Some people panic when they have nodules, while others do not take nodules seriously at all. Some nodules should not be taken lightly, especially skin nodules. Generally speaking, skin nodules are mostly benign, and common ones include facial sebaceous nodules, erythema nodosum on the calves, and cysts in the vulva. However, skin nodules are different from other nodules. They are not concentrated in specific parts and can grow from head to toe. The causes are complex. Some occur alone, while others are manifestations of systemic diseases. Some are fine if they are carried for a long time, while others require systematic observation and treatment.

"Three-Self" keeps away from nodules

Nodules are like moles on the body. There is no need to panic. The key is to observe them dynamically.

People who are at high risk of nodules must be "careful", such as patients with a family history of disease, people with a history of related diseases, people in special occupations who are frequently exposed to radiation and radioactive rays, and office workers who are under long-term high pressure and stay up late.

Self-examination

Benign nodules only require regular follow-up observation, without medication or surgery. Follow-up visits should be conducted every 3 to 6 months to observe whether there is obvious growth, changes in the surrounding morphology, whether the surface is smooth, whether the membrane is intact, and whether there is calcification. If it is a malignant nodule, surgery should be determined based on the doctor's advice.

Self-Test

In addition to routine physical examinations, you can also self-examine thyroid nodules and breast nodules by touching them.

STEP1 Check the boundary

If the nodule has clear boundaries, it is likely to be benign; if the boundaries are unclear, further examination is required.

STEP2 Check the hardness

Taking breast nodules as an example, those that feel like the lips are soft and basically normal; those that feel like the tip of the nose are medium and may be fibroadenomas; those that feel like the forehead are hard and may be in bad condition.

STEP3 Check the activity

Generally speaking, a nodule that feels like it's moving around may be good; if it feels fixed, it may not be good.

STEP4 Self-perception

Generally speaking, painful nodules are likely to be benign; if they are painless and itchy, the probability of a problem is relatively high. Skin nodules are different. If the nodules are under the skin and are not red, swollen or painful, they are generally benign; but red, painful nodules on the legs, or nodules that have ulcerated, must be seen by a doctor.

STEP5 Growth rate

Generally, benign nodules grow slowly, while malignant nodules grow rapidly.

It should be noted that many nodules in the body located in the chest, cervix, etc. cannot be completely dependent on self-examination. Ultrasound examination can clearly detect tiny lesions and make a rough judgment. If necessary, X-ray examination or magnetic resonance imaging examination can be performed.

self-discipline

Experts agree that although the cause of nodules is unknown, they can be prevented, such as developing good living habits, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption, keeping a regular schedule, not staying up late, and maintaining a good attitude and a stable mood.

Eat more fruits and vegetables, go outdoors regularly to breathe fresh air, have a check-up once a year, stay away from toxic and harmful substances, and pay attention to protection in special environments, such as wearing a mask and anti-radiation clothing.