Thyroid swelling, a condition affecting the thyroid gland, can be benign in women and cancerous in men.
It is a gradual increase in size in the front portion of the neck and can be accompanied by hormonal disturbances. In rare cases, thyroid swelling can be a simple cyst, nodule, tumor, or cancer.
In women, 90% of thyroid swelling is non-cancerous, while in men, it has a 95% chance of being cancerous.
To evaluate thyroid swelling, a three-test procedure is recommended: a thyroid hormone test, a neck ultrasound scan, and a needle aspiration test (FNAC). Wait and watch is recommended for female patients with a slight swelling of less than 1 cm.
For thyroid swelling more than 4 cm in size, males over 55 years old, and if tests point towards cancer or swelling is accompanied by pressure symptoms, surgery is the mainstay of treatment.
The decision to remove either partial or complete thyroid gland depends on the test results. In summary, thyroid swelling is joint in women and can be treated with hormonal supplements.
If the swelling persists for more than three weeks, it is crucial to consult an ENT/HNS surgeon.
If the swelling persists for more than three weeks, it is crucial to consult an ENT/HNS surgeon.
Click to read more about Health
