A Lump in Your Thyroid — Is it Cause for Concern?

Wednesday, March 10, 2004

ROCHESTER, Minn. — The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your throat, just below your Adam's apple, has an enormous effect on your health. It regulates metabolism, from how fast your heart beats to how efficiently you burn calories, to how well you sleep and think.

The March issue of Mayo Clinic Women's Health Source covers health risks when a lump or nodule grows on the thyroid. Fortunately, these solid or fluid-filled lumps are seldom cancerous.

Most thyroid nodules cause no symptoms and are discovered by a doctor during a physical examination. Thyroid nodules are common and more often found in women. Doctors don't know what causes the growth. Factors that may increase risk are family history of thyroid nodules, radiation exposure to the head and neck, and certain thyroid conditions.

If you suspect a thyroid nodule, see your doctor. A benign nodule may only require periodic re-examination. If it's cancerous, early detection and treatment offer the best chance of survival. A nodule is more likely to be cancerous if it grows quickly, feels hard, causes you to be hoarse or to have trouble swallowing or breathing, or if it's found along with enlarged lymph nodes under the jaw or in the neck.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester
Lisa Copeland
507-284-5005 (days)
507-284-2511(evenings)
email: newsbureau@mayo.edu

Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville
Erik Kaldor
904-953-2301

Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale
Anne Tewksbury
480-301-4368

Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource is published monthly to help women enjoy healthier, more productive lives. Revenue from subscriptions is used to support medical research at Mayo Clinic. To subscribe, please call 800-876-8633, extension 9PK1.

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