Causes of the thyroid cyst concern most of the world's population, as this disease is more common in patients of different ages. Statistics say that the pathology of the thyroid gland occurs in every 10th person on Earth. Among them about 5% of cases of cysts, and this indicator is constantly growing.
Compaction in the thyroid gland or on the thyroid gland can disrupt the functioning of the nervous system, immune, cardiovascular, endocrine, affect reproductive function. It is extremely important to know the reasons for the occurrence of the disease in order to reach the doctor in time and prevent the development of life-threatening complications.
Causes of
It is customary to call the dense formations on the gland, resembling knots in form. Inside, they are filled with a colloidal fluid that has a benign etiology. Knots appear for the following reasons:
- natural accumulation - the thyroid gland consists of a variety of follicles, inside of which important hormones are developed for the endocrine and other systems. In each of them there is the same fluid that, when formed even a tiny cyst begins to accumulate. In the process, it becomes a seal, the size of which is individual in each case;
- lack of iodine - failure to receive this element can lead to impaired functioning of the gland. It is important that the menu included dishes and products rich in iodine. Periodically, it is necessary to take vitamin complexes with its content. This is especially true for people living in regions with low iodine content;
- general failure in the hormonal balance of the body is also attributed to the reasons. Pathology can be caused by the aggressive action of the external environment - the long-term exposure to toxic and paints, solvents. Laser and chemical radiation have a similar effect;
- genetics - most people at risk of encountering the disease are people in the family who had relatives with such a diagnosis;
- Inflammation and trauma - a prolonged inflammatory process on the thyroid, caused by other diseases, can lead to the formation of cysts. The same can be said about injuries;
- is over 40 years of age;
- constant stress.
Women are more likely to develop cysts - patients with this diagnosis are on average 4 times more likely than men. This is due to the endocrine system of the female body.
Symptoms of
The insidiousness of the disease lies in the absence of pronounced symptoms - for several years the patient can not notice anything, especially in the state of health, until the nodes of the thyroid gland appear, which it will be difficult not to pay attention to. Along with them there are other signs:
- because of the increasing size of the cyst there are unpleasant sensations in the throat, a kind of discomfort, and in the future it becomes difficult for the patient to swallow liquids and eat food;
- possible pain when touching the neck in the throat;
- severity of breathing, especially when performing physical exercises or other similar exercise;
- fever and loss of voice - due to pressure, the cyst presses on the throat ligaments, so over time the voice changes, and later disappears completely;
- increase in temperature - in cases where there is a parallel inflammatory or purulent process.
When it comes to small patients, they all have the symptoms described earlier, because the cyst in children is growing rapidly.
The disease has several stages:
- formation - at this stage, the symptoms are not observed, and the diagnosis can be made only on preventive measures;
- growth - at this stage the first characteristic signs appear, which should alert the patient;
- resorption - with good immunity the cyst can dissolve itself. The patient does not always feel changes in the body.
The thyroid cyst can develop into a malignant formation, such nodes are pronounced, have a dense shape and cause significant damage to a person's condition. In any case, it is only the endocrinologist who can determine which stage of the disease the patient has and whether he has a cyst, after a series of analyzes. And the symptoms can easily indicate the presence of other pathologies.
Diagnostics
A specialist can feel the node during a primary palpation examination in the area of finding the thyroid gland. However, the final diagnosis is established after receiving the results of the survey, which includes:
- USZ - a study that allows you to establish the structural envelopes of the cyst, determine the amount of fluid to be filled and clarify how the blood flow passes;
- MRI - is assigned for the purpose of finding out the specific location of the cyst, the area of organ damage and the nature of the neoplasm;
- biopsy - allows you to set the type of cells;
- scintigraphy - assesses the functional activity of the tissue;
- blood test for TSH - provides information on the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone;
- pneumography - is prescribed in cases when it is necessary to determine the presence of expanded metastases.
In addition, laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy are prescribed to exclude the inflammatory processes of the respiratory system. Also on average, once every three months, an analysis is made of the quantitative indices of hormones.
Complications of
The main danger of this disease is the complications that are possible if the cyst is treated incorrectly - against this background there is its inflammation, often accompanied by suppuration. This process is characterized by the following symptoms:
- increase in body temperature to 40 degrees;
- increasing severe pain in the thyroid gland;
- enlarges the lymph nodes, when pressed on them the patient feels pain;
- common signs of intoxication - loss of appetite, aches in joints, apathy, headaches, nausea, drowsiness.
If the doctor diagnosed the nodal cyst of the thyroid gland, then this kind of neoplasm can lead to oncology, so it is necessary to follow all recommended measures and careful monitoring.
Treatment of
Benign thyroid cyst is easily treatable. Basically, it is emptied by puncture, after which sclerosing substances are introduced, which help to dry up the environment and prevent the cyst from growing again. This procedure does not cause complications and can be performed in cases of relapse of the disease. In addition, complex therapy is being conducted:
- is prescribed drugs for the regulation of hormones produced by the gland;
- administration of anti-inflammatory and metabolic agents;
- use of drugs that relieve edema and improve blood supply;
- may be treated with antibiotics( in cases of bacterial infection), with the dosage and drug prescribed only by a doctor.
Conservative treatment is complemented by the use of iodine in the form of vitamin complexes. In this case, the follow-up period is accompanied by observation of the patient - an ultrasound is performed every three months, the level of the hormone TSH is determined every two months. If a deviation from the norm is detected, the physician should adjust the dosage of all preparations.
If the cyst is too large, squeezes adjacent organs and circulatory system, once the fluid is removed, it quickly replenishes it, and doctors recommend surgical intervention. But this does not mean that the organ will be removed completely, and further normal life will be possible only against the background of taking medications. Usually part of the thyroid gland is removed, on the side where the cyst joined - the gland's functionality is not affected by surgery.
If a cyst is found in both lobes of the organ, a striectomy is performed, a more complex but gentle procedure. Completely iron removed only in cases where it is established that the tumor is malignant and threatens the patient's life.
Delete or not?
Despite the fact that in most cases cysts of the thyroid gland belong to benign tumors, they can behave quite unpredictably:
- in some cases a person lives with a cyst for years, not realizing that she has it. The tumor does not give dynamics, so it is not dangerous;
- in other cases, the growth is rapidly growing;
- it happens that the cyst itself resolves itself without any treatment.
The reason for going to the doctor are those cysts that reach a size of 3 cm or more, bulge, cause neck deformities and other disorders. At the same time, it is first observed afterwards, performing a cytological study. If necessary, the liquid is removed. Do self-medication, apply "resorptive" compresses, and even more do warming lotions in any case impossible - such measures can cause inflammation. Determine the method of treatment should only a doctor, based on the results of tests.
Prevention
How not to be among the patients suffering from thyroid disease, especially cysts? This issue often occurs in people who have once experienced a puncture of the gland, as well as those whose heredity makes you worry. The consequences of a breach in the functioning of the gland can provoke serious complications, therefore it is important to adhere to preventive measures:
- even after successfully treating a cyst, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the gland annually with ultrasound;
- patients in whom a small lesion is found should undergo a quarterly examination;
- to prevent problems in the work of the gland promotes the use of iodine-containing products and products;
- in no case abused physiotherapeutic procedures in the neck;
- Avoid exposure and insolation.
- Failure to follow these recommendations can cause a cyst, so you should listen and try to change your lifestyle.
Pregnant women in particular should monitor changes in the body and report on the deterioration of the state of health to the doctor in time. Surgeons allow the procedure of pumping out fluid from the cyst during pregnancy, but it can be performed in the second trimester. The first and third are dangerous for miscarriage and premature birth, respectively.
Conclusion
Cysts of the thyroid gland, benign course of which is confirmed by histological examination, basically have a good prognosis and with proper treatment they pass for the patient without complications. In many cases, even surgical intervention is not required - endocrinologists are limited to timely analysis in dynamics.
The danger is a malignant cyst - it is subject to removal, as it eventually degenerates into a cancerous tumor. And in childhood this period passes very quickly.
The causes of cysts originate in the patient's lifestyle, therefore, every health-conscious person should pay attention to the quality of nutrition, physical activity, to consult a doctor in case of a malaise and to take the recommended measures if signs of a tumor on the thyroid gland are found. Women in particular should follow preventive measures, because according to statistics cysts of the thyroid gland appear in them 4 times more often than in men.
