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The thyroid cyst corresponds to a cavity or a closed sac that can appear in the thyroid gland, which is filled with liquid, the most common being called a colloid, and which in most cases does not lead to the appearance of signs or symptoms, being identified after examinations.
Most cysts on the thyroid are small and disappear on their own due to spontaneous resorption by the body, however in other cases it may be related to malignant changes, it is important that they are identified and the content aspirated, especially when they are larger and come with others Signs and symptoms.
Thyroid cyst symptoms
In most cases the thyroid cyst does not lead to the appearance of signs or symptoms, however when they increase in size over time, some signs and symptoms may appear, such as:
- Difficulty swallowing;
- Hoarseness;
- Neck pain and discomfort;
- Difficulty breathing, although it is rare.
Most of the time, when these symptoms are verified, the thyroid cyst is palpable, that is, the person or the doctor can identify the presence of the cyst just by touching the neck, which is the location where the thyroid is located. In such cases, it is very important that tests be done to check the severity of the cyst and the need for specific treatment.
How the diagnosis is made
The cyst is diagnosed by means of imaging tests that evaluate the thyroid, especially thyroid ultrasound, in which the presence of the cyst in the gland can be observed, as well as characteristics. In other words, through this exam, the doctor is able to check if the cyst edges have irregularities and if there is solid content in the cyst, which can be indicative of malignancy.
In addition to thyroid ultrasound, the PAAF test, also known as fine needle aspiration, is usually performed, in which the entire content of the cyst is aspirated from inside and evaluated, which provides information to the doctor about the severity of the cyst. Understand what PAAF is and how it is made.
Treatment for thyroid cyst
As most of the time the cyst is reabsorbed by the organism itself, the doctor's recommendation can only be to monitor the cyst's evolution, that is, if it grows and leads to the appearance of signs or symptoms.
However, in cases where the cyst is large and causes discomfort, pain or difficulty in swallowing, for example, aspiration of the cyst contents and / or removal through surgery may be necessary and, after laboratory analysis, if they are If signs of malignancy are detected, it may be necessary to start a more specific treatment, which may involve carrying out treatment with radioactive iodine, for example. See how the treatment with radioactive iodine is done.