Thyroid nodules are one of the most common reasons for referral to an endocrine surgeon. The vast majority are benign, but your ANZES recognised endocrine surgeon is in the best position to offer advice regarding whether additional investigation or intervention are warranted.
The worry for these lesions surrounds the risk of cancer and the nodule history, examination findings, simple blood tests and ultrasound characteristics are the usual starting point for clarifying this risk. A biopsy may also be required to help clarify the risk of cancer. It is on this basis that a plan for management is developed. This may simply involve a wait and watch approach over time or alternatively surgery may be required to assist with regard to diagnosis, to treat a known cancer if revealed during investigation or to remove a large benign nodule that is causing compressive symptoms. Your ANZES recognised endocrine surgeon will assist you in making these decisions together with you.
Occasionally a thyroid nodule may cause problems by producing excessive amounts of thyroid hormone; a so called “toxic nodule”. This can create problems and should be treated. Surgery is one option but there are other ways of managing this and your ANZES recognised endocrine surgeon is ideally placed to help you make these decisions.
A thyroid gland with multiple thyroid nodules (multinodular goitre) is one of the more common presentations to an endocrine surgeon. This is typically benign but can grow quite large resulting in compressive symptoms or result in an excess of circulating thyroid hormone. Surgery is often the preferred approach given that the natural history for such a problem is one of continued growth over time.
