Thyroid Cysts
Discover the key aspects of thyroid cysts, from symptoms to causes, and explore the importance of screening, accurate diagnosis, and the range of treatment options available at Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic. Reach out to our thyroid specialist in Singapore, Dr. Manish Taneja, to effectively manage this thyroid condition.
Introduction to Thyroid Cysts
The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic is committed to offering superior care for patients with thyroid problems. Dr. Manish Taneja has vast experience in interventional medicine spanning over decades. He is dedicated to helping patients regain their health through quality care. If you have thyroid cysts, we can conduct a thorough diagnosis and commence immediate treatment.
Continue reading to learn more about thyroid cysts below, or contact us now to arrange an appointment.
Overview of Thyroid Cysts
Thyroid cysts are nodules that form within the thyroid. There are two types of thyroid cysts – fluid-filled and complex. Fluid-filled cysts mainly consist of liquid and have a lower cancer risk. Complex cysts have mixed components of solid and liquid deposits. If a complex cyst is more than 50% solid, the risk of being cancerous increases.
Cysts are one type of thyroid nodules. Others include colloid nodules, follicular adenomas, and thyroid cancers. Most of the thyroid nodules are not cancerous, but while fluid-filled cysts may simply require regular monitoring, a biopsy should be done for larger lumps.
Thyroid Cyst Symptoms
Most thyroid cysts do not manifest symptoms, but as they grow larger, people may experience symptoms such as:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Hoarseness
- Problems breathing
- Neck pain
- Swelling
- Feeling a lump in the throat
If the cysts are associated with hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), you may experience symptoms such as nervousness and anxiety, hand tremors, fatigue, weight changes, irregular menstrual patterns, depression, and hair loss.
Thyroid Cyst Causes
Thyroid cysts may result from various causes, including blocked ducts, hormonal activity, thyroid inflammation (thyroiditis), and iodine deficiency. In some cases, thyroid cysts are associated with conditions such as adenoma, hyperplasia, and thyroid carcinomas.
Thyroid Cyst Screening and Diagnosis
Thyroid cysts diagnosis helps determine whether they are benign or cancerous. There are various diagnosis and screening options available, including:
- Physical screening: The doctor may request you to swallow, and then observe the thyroid area. If there are lumps on the thyroid, they will be visible as the gland moves up and down.
- Blood tests: A thyroid function test can reveal the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the blood, indicating overactivity (hyperthyroidism) or underactivity (hypothyroidism).
- Ultrasound: Imaging captures materials of different densities in varying shades, making it highly effective in detecting cysts.
- Fine-needle aspiration biopsy: Biopsy is done hand in hand with ultrasound and involves inserting a small needle into the nodule to extract a sample of cells.
- Thyroid scan: Involves taking a radioactive iodine pill, and the doctor scans the thyroid as the pill passes.
Thyroid Cyst Treatment
Most thyroid cysts are benign and may resolve without treatment. The doctor may take different treatment approaches depending on the size of the cysts, symptoms, and risk factors (such as age and family history of thyroid cancer). Available options for managing cysts include:
Monitoring
Small thyroid cysts (usually 3 cm or less) may be benign. In this case, the doctor may leave the cyst and recommend regular monitoring through an ultrasound, probably once or twice per year.
Aspiration
Aspiration is a common initial treatment option for thyroid cysts. This involves draining the cyst through aspiration. However, the efficacy of this method depends on the percentage of the solid component, though the rate of recurrence is very high.
Surgery
Surgery is not a common treatment option for thyroid cysts, but it is effective in removing the abnormal tissue. Mostly, it is used in cases where there are multiple large cysts, or the patient is experiencing symptoms. Thyroid surgery options may include thyroid lobectomy, thyroidectomy, or isthmusectomy.
When to Worry About Thyroid Cysts
Thyroid cysts are not cancerous in most cases. However, some cysts may be malignant (cancerous), which requires proper diagnosis and treatment. You should be concerned if:
- You experience thyroid pain
- Cysts are large and fast-growing
- You have difficulty swallowing or breathing
- You experience symptoms of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism
- You have a family history of cancer
Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic is Here to Help Manage Your Thyroid Cysts
If you discover a lump in your neck or experience other symptoms of thyroid disorders such as difficulty breathing or swallowing, thyroid pain, and hoarseness, you should consult a doctor for a check-up. While most thyroid cysts are not cancerous, early detection of malignant lumps can help improve your survival rate. At Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic, we can provide you with the comprehensive care you need to manage thyroid cysts and enhance your health. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
The Advantages of RFA of Thyroid Nodules
The major advantages of the technique are as below.
- It is done as day surgery procedure under light sedation.
- It takes about 45 minutes to one hour to complete the entire procedure.
- Patients are discharged the same day.
- Normal thyroid tissue adjacent to the nodule is preserved.
- It does not affect thyroid function.
- Multiple nodules can be treated at same time.
- The treated nodules do not regrow again.
- No surgical scar with needle mark on the skin.
- Quick recovery and back to full activity and normal lifestyle.
- The technique is suitable to treat even large thyroid nodules.
Find out how thyroid nodule Radiofrequency Ablation can help you in a minimally invasive way on our blog post, “Thyroid Nodule Radiofrequency Ablation Treatment: Diagnosis, Management, and Recovery.”
Read More About Vascular Treatments on Our Blog
To dive deeper into the types of vascular treatments such as thyroid nodule radiofrequency ablation, head over to our clinic’s blog. Read our recommended vascular treatments related blog posts to stay informed.
Thyroid Nodule Resources
How to Keep Thyroid Healthy for Optimal Well-Being
As part of the endocrine system, the thyroid hormones must be perfectly balanced at all times for the body to function normally.
Caring For Your Thyroid Health
Have you ever experienced difficulty swallowing or breathing? You may have risk factors including a family history of thyroid nodules or iodine deficiency. Thyroid nodules are abnormal lumps (growths) within the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland located below your voice box. Even if most thyroid nodules are benign, 10-15% of nodules are cancerous. Sometimes overgrowth of normal thyroid tissue can lead to hyperthyroidism. In other cases, multiple nodules can form in the thyroid called multinodular goiter. Fluid filled thyroid cysts can be one type of thyroid nodule within the thyroid. More complex nodules may lead to thyroid cancers.
Depending on the root cause and type of nodule you have, patients can monitor with regular ultrasound or even have a thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAC) if required. Surgery to remove partial or whole thyroid gland can be done but thanks to minimally invasive treatments such as Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA), this procedure can treat noncancerous and cancerous thyroid lumps.
Other Health Conditions
The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic is your “go-to” facility for various conditions and pain management. To arrange an appointment with Dr. Manish Taneja, our thyroid nodule specialist, contact us. You can also call us at (+65) 6904 8084 for a consultation.