How Do You Treat a Benign Thyroid Nodule?

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of your neck under the Adam’s apple. About 2 inches long, it produces and releases a hormone that helps regulate the body's metabolism.

The hormone released by the thyroid influences heart rate, weight and body temperature. Its wide-ranging function makes the thyroid one of the body's most important glands.

It is common for people to develop lumps within the thyroid gland. More than 90% of them are noncancerous.

These benign lumps are called thyroid nodules. Up to 50% of Americans will have a thyroid nodule by age 60, according to the American Thyroid Association.

Thyroid nodules can be solid or fluid filled. They are much more common in women than men.

There is good news when it comes to treating benign thyroid nodules, one of the most common thyroid conditions. The cutting-edge treatment is called thyroid radiofrequency ablation. Ochsner Health is leading the way with this minimally invasive medical innovation.

How are benign thyroid nodules diagnosed?

Thyroid nodules are often discovered incidentally during a routine physical examination. Some people find them on their own when they notice a bump on either side of the windpipe near the Adam’s apple. If one is noticed, seeing a doctor is the next step.

Doctors typically diagnose thyroid nodules through a combination of physical exams, blood tests and imaging. Your doctor may recommend a fine-needle aspiration biopsy to help determine if the lump is cancerous.

Can you live with benign thyroid nodules?

The simple answer is yes. People diagnosed with benign thyroid nodules often experience no symptoms and require no treatment other than monitoring. Sometimes, however, nodules need to be removed because they are large or cause discomfort.

Typically, doctors will have the patient undergo periodic ultrasounds to monitor the nodules.

How often does a benign thyroid tumor turn cancerous?

When the nodule is benign, guidelines recommend periodic ultrasound evaluation. If there is significant growth, a biopsy may be performed

A large Italian study cited by the American Thyroid Association monitored a significant number of thyroid nodule patients over a five-year period. During that span, only 15% of them experienced significant growth of thyroid nodules, with less than 1% of them turning to cancer.

The data show that benign nodules may grow, but only a small proportion are diagnosed as cancers during follow-up.

Can an ultrasound tell if a thyroid nodule is cancerous?

While an ultrasound can identify suspicious features in a thyroid nodule that require further investigation, it cannot definitively tell if the nodule is cancerous.

Suspicious features that may show up on an ultrasound include irregular borders, areas that are darker than surrounding tissue, bright spots or an elongated shape.

To estimate the risk of thyroid cancer, a fine-needle aspiration biopsy is performed to examine the cells. This simple procedure is often done in the doctor’s office.

How are benign thyroid nodules treated?

Often, benign thyroid nodules require no treatment, just monitoring.

Overactive thyroid nodules, which can produce too much hormone, are sometimes treated with radioactive iodine therapy. The iodine, which is taken in pill or liquid form, is absorbed by the thyroid gland and causes the nodule to shrink.

Patients with large, noncancerous nodules might require surgery if the nodules are large or make it hard to breathe or swallow.

Many benign nodules can be treated with state-of-the-art thyroid radiofrequency ablation technology.

This minimally invasive treatment of benign thyroid nodules is offered at Ochsner and allows physicians to perform precise, targeted treatment with quick recovery, reduced discomfort, and exceptional cosmetic results.

Is thyroid ablation painful?

The approximately 45-minute, outpatient procedure is performed under local anesthesia. After numbing the thyroid area, the physician inserts a thin probe into the nodule that sends heat and electricity to destroy the targeted cells and shrink the nodule.

Overall discomfort is mild compared to traditional surgery. Over-the-counter pain medicine is usually enough to offset the minor discomfort.

Most patients can return to normal activities within a day or two of the procedure.

Is thyroid ablation better than surgery?

Until the ablation procedure became available, traditional thyroid nodule removal surgery was one of the only viable treatment options for patients with problematic, non-malignant thyroid nodules.

For some patients, thyroid ablation is a better option. It is less invasive than surgery, avoids the need for general anesthesia and has a low risk of complications. It is a focused treatment, allowing healthy tissue surrounding the nodule to be unaffected. It leaves no visible scarring.

Surgery remains a good choice in cases where the nodules are large and where malignancy is suspected or confirmed and there is a need for definitive pathology.