Nodule of the thyroid gland

Today, often people of different age groupsendocrine pathologies are revealed. Among them, it should be noted the thyroid gland diseases, manifested by various clinical signs, which depends on the type of pathology and the level of synthesis of thyroid hormones.

Before talking about changes in tissue density of this gland, you should briefly tell what the thyroid gland is.

It is an organ of internal secretion that takesparticipation in the metabolism and growth processes of both individual cells and the whole organism, and also preserves iodine and produces specific hormones - thyroxine and triiodothyronine, affecting the development of the bone system, mental abilities and the functioning of the thermoregulation system.

Where is the thyroid?

It is located in front of the neck in fronttrachea. Above it is the thyroid cartilage of the larynx. I must say that the location of the thyroid gland can change with age. So, in children it is at the level of the lower edge of the throat thyroid cartilage, and in the elderly it can descend, descending in some cases into the thoracic cavity.

Among the most common pathologies of the thyroid gland, one can call hypo-and hyperthyroidism, thyroiditis, follicular adenoma, nodes in its structure.

The causes of development of nodes in the thyroid gland

Let us dwell on pathological conditions, withwhich form the thyroid gland. Most often, the cause of the development of compaction zones is the lack of iodine in the body. It should also be noted that thyroid nodules are often diagnosed in people with a history of family history. So, if relatives had previously found a thyroid nodule, then this increases the risk of developing this pathology in other family members several times.

If the nodes are of a tumor nature, then most often in the etiology of their development, a certain role is played by ionizing radiation and x-ray therapy in the neck region in the treatment of the thymus or tonsils.

It must be remembered that the thyroid nodule is nota separate disease, but a symptom that can occur in many diseases of the thyroid gland. If the lesion of this gland is benign, then colloid nodes, follicular adenoma, cysts or various inflammatory pathologies are most often found. With its malignant damage, lymphomas, squamous, anaplastic or papillary cancers develop, which is also manifested by the formation of nodal structures in the gland tissue.

Clinical manifestations of thyroid nodules

According to the mechanism of appearance, these structures havetumor and non-tumoral nature. With tumor nodes, mutations occur in the cells of the gland, which acquire the ability to divide uncontrollably, which causes the formation of seals. Benign nodes increase in size without infiltration. They provoke the atrophy of tissues and the compression of tissues and organs that are placed side by side.

I must say that this pathology is extremelyspread among the population, but manifests itself in different ways. If the thyroid nodule is benign in nature, then clinically it may not appear, appearing accidentally with an ultrasound examination. If the size of the nodes is large, they can compress adjacent organs and provoke a violation of swallowing, breathing, changing the voice, the appearance of a feeling of "coma in the throat", as well as cosmetic deformation of the neck.

At sites of a malignant character is disruptedsecretory function of thyroid (in most cases in the form of thyrotoxicosis). A serious complication of this lesion is the process of metastasis in the bone, respiratory system and brain, which significantly worsens the prognosis of the disease.

That is why when any seal is found in the thyroid gland, a thorough examination should be done, which should include a fine needle biopsy that confirms or excludes the cancerous nature of the nodes.