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Jonathan Hughes | Hemel Hempstead

Thyroid Lumps Treatment

Lumps or nodules can form within the thyroid gland. They can sometimes be cancerous, although the majority are benign. If you have a lump, pain, or feeling of pressure in your neck, difficulty swallowing, or a change in your voice it’s worth checking you don’t have a thyroid lump.

These lumps need to be fully evaluated to rule out the possibility of cancer. This is done through various diagnostic tests, including ultrasound, fine-needle aspiration cytology, and blood tests. If a thyroid lump is found to be cancerous you may require a thyroidectomy. This is a surgical procedure in which all, or part, of the thyroid gland is removed.

Mr Jonathan Hughes understands the complexities of thyroid lumps and knows the most effective treatment methods. He will work closely with his multidisciplinary team, consisting of specialists from various medical fields, to ensure you get the very best treatment and patient care.

If you think you might have thyroid problems, get in touch with your ENT specialist in London to book a consultation today!
020 3897 0667

Why I have I got thyroid lumps?

One cause of a thyroid lump is thyroid cancer. Additionally, goitre, an diffuse enlargement of the thyroid gland, can also result in thyroid swelling. While goitre itself is rarely a serious medical problem, it can lead to complications if left untreated.

What sort of investigation methods are used for thyroid lumps?

A thorough clinical examination of the lump will take place. Ultrasound imaging, which allows for a detailed view of the thyroid gland, surrouding lymph glands and any other abnormalities is often used. This non-invasive procedure uses sound waves to create images of the gland, providing valuable information about the size, shape, and composition of the lump. If the ultrasound reveals any suspicious features, further investigation may be needed. In such cases, a fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology (like a biopsy) may be recommended. This procedure involves a thin needle being used to extract a small cellular sample from the lump for further analysis. The sample is then examined under a microscope to determine if it is benign or cancerous.

What sort of treatments are available for thyroid lumps?

The treatment required for thyroid lumps depends on various factors such as the size, location, and nature of the lump. A thyroidectomy may be recommended if the lump is potentially cancerous. A potential additional treatment after surgery, is radioiodine ablation, which involves taking radioactive iodine orally to destroy any residual thyroid tissue.

How often are thyroid lumps cancerous?

The majority of thyroid nodules are benign, but a small percentage can be cancerous. The risk of a thyroid lump being cancerous increases with certain factors such as age, family history of thyroid cancer, radiation exposure, and the presence of other symptoms. If a thyroid lump is suspected to be cancerous, further investigation is required, including imaging tests, blood tests, and possibly a biopsy.