are hypoechoic thyroid nodules benign
A hypoechoic nodule is a fluid-filled or solid mass that casts limited, weakened echoes compared to the surrounding tissue during the administration of an ultrasound, or sonogram. Though this type of mass may be found in any part of the body, it is most frequently detected in the thyroid. When tested with a sonogram or ultrasonography, thyroid nodules can either be hyperochoic or hypoechoic, explains EverydayHealth. Hyperechoic nodules produce echoes when a sonogram is used, suggesting that the mass isn't solid, but cystic. Quick Answer. Hypoechoic nodules are growths on the thyroid that produce weak echoes when a sonogram is used, according to EverydayHealth. Although this can denote a cancerous growth, most often hypoechoic nodules are benign. Thyroid Nodules. Your treatment will depend on how your thyroid nodule affects you. If your thyroid nodule is not cancerous (benign) and is not causing any problems, your doctor will watch the nodule closely before doing anything else. If your thyroid nodule is causing problems, you may need to take medicine or have surgery. Palpable thyroid nodules occur in 4 to 7 percent of the population, but nodules found incidentally on ultrasonography suggest a prevalence of 19 to 67 percent. The majority of thyroid nodules are asymptomatic. Hypoechoic nodules may cause swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Hypoechoic nodules are most frequently detected in the thyroid. Treatment for a malignant hypoechoic nodule may involve the surgical removal of the thyroid gland. An MRI test might be performed to determine the composition of a thyroid nodule. Thyroid functioning affects the body's metabolism. When US features suggestive of a benign nodule (an ovoid-to-round shape, a well-defined smooth margin, isoechogenicity, and a spongiform appearance) were compared, no significant difference in their frequency was found between malignant nodules smaller than 10 mm and those larger than 10 mm. Palpable thyroid nodules occur in 4 to 7 percent of the population (10 to 18 million persons), but nodules found incidentally on ultrasonography suggest a prevalence of 19 to 67 percent.1,5 In one study,6 30 percent of subjects 19 to 50 years of age had an incidental nodule on ultrasonography. Presentation. The term thyroid nodule refers to an abnormal growth of. thyroid cells that forms a lump within the thyroid gland. Although the vast majority of thyroid nodules are benign. (noncancerous), a small proportion of thyroid nodules. do contain thyroid cancer. In order to diagnose and treat. thyroid cancer at the earliest stage, most thyroid nodules. need some type of evaluation. However, considerable overlap between benign and malignant characteristics has been found in results of some studies (12,14). Sensitivity and specificity of the US findings for malignant thyroid nodules are also variable (1,5,9,11,16,17).
Yes, the vast majority of thyroid nodules are benign.