Thyroid nodules are solid or fluid-filled lumps that form within your thyroid gland. They are more commonly discovered as a person grows older.
90 to 95% of nodules found in the thyroid gland are non-cancerous. Only 5 to 10% of thyroid nodules are cancerous.
We usually look at the ultrasound characteristics of a nodule to determine if the nodule is suspicious to be cancerous. If there are any suspicious ultrasound features, a fine needle biopsy of the nodule will be recommended to further evaluate the nodule. There is unfortunately no blood test that can help to diagnose thyroid cancer.
A person with multiple thyroid nodules needs to be monitored at intervals for changes in the sizes and ultrasound characteristics of the nodules. Non-cancerous thyroid nodules can also increase in size with time. Although most nodules are non-cancerous, there is a very small risk of a non-cancerous nodule turning cancerous with time. The time interval of monitoring may be lengthened if there is no significant change in the nodules with time, but monitoring should not be stopped.
You should also see a doctor earlier if there is increase in the size of your thyroid gland (located at the lower part of the neck in the front) or if you encounter symptoms of breathing or swallowing difficulty.