A thyroid mass is a swelling of the thyroid gland, which can be caused by swelling or a lump. Most are benign, but some can be cancerous. Women are more likely to develop them in areas with low iodine levels or after radiation exposure. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing or swallowing. Treatment options include medication, radiation therapy, or surgery.
A mass is a medical term for a lump, so the phrase thyroid mass is used to describe a swelling of the thyroid gland. This could be caused by swelling of the thyroid itself or a lump growing on the thyroid, sometimes referred to as a lump. The thyroid is located inside the neck at the lower end of the trachea and is roughly shaped like a butterfly, with a narrow central part in front of the trachea and two larger lobes, one on each side. In most cases, a thyroid mass turns out to be benign or non-cancerous, with only about 100 percent being malignant or cancerous. Thyroid masses are found more commonly in women than men, in areas where iodine levels are low, and in those who have been exposed to radiation.
Usually, the lump does not cause symptoms unless it presses on the windpipe, causing difficulty breathing, or on the esophagus, where it can interfere with swallowing. Thyroid tests can be done to measure the levels of thyroid hormone in the blood. Abnormally high levels could indicate that a thyroid mass is producing hormones, while low levels could demonstrate that the gland as a whole is failing and has enlarged in a last-ditch effort to make more. The latter occurs in Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune condition that destroys thyroid tissue and is treated with synthetic thyroid hormone. A scan of the thyroid, using ultrasound, can reveal details of a swelling, and scans using other technologies can be used to provide more information.
A benign mass is more likely to be what is called an adenoma. The most common form of adenoma is an overgrowth of cells in the lining of the thyroid gland. Adenomas can produce extra thyroid hormone, resulting in a condition known as hyperthyroidism, in which body functions speed up resulting in symptoms such as sweating, weight loss, and fatigue. Hyperthyroidism can be treated with medications, radiation therapy, or by surgically removing the nodule.
Another type of benign thyroid mass is a thyroid cyst, which is just a fluid-filled lump. This can simply be drained using a needle. If a cyst keeps coming back, it may need to be surgically removed.
Occasionally, a malignant mass occurs in the thyroid gland, requiring referral to an oncology or cancer specialist. The most common thyroid cancer is papillary thyroid carcinoma, which occurs most frequently in women in their late 30s. It grows through the neck, sometimes pinching the windpipe, and can spread to the bones and lungs. Most forms of thyroid cancer grow slowly and in many cases are treatable. Treatments used include surgery, radiation therapy, and radioactive iodine, which is taken up by thyroid cells and destroys them.
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