Thyroid Nodules
(Thyroid Nodule)

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Medical Author:

Robert Ferry Jr., MD

Robert Ferry Jr., MD

Robert Ferry Jr., MD, is a U.S. board-certified Pediatric Endocrinologist. After taking his baccalaureate degree from Yale College, receiving his doctoral degree and residency training in pediatrics at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), he completed fellowship training in pediatric endocrinology at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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• Thyroid Nodules Overview
• Thyroid Nodules Causes
• Thyroid Nodules Symptoms
• Exams and Tests
• Blood Tests
• Ultrasound of the Thyroid
• Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB)
• Thyroid Radionuclide Scanning
• Medical Treatment
• Surgery
• Radioactive Iodine
• Thyroid Hormone Suppression
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors
• Read more on Thyroid Nodules from Healthwise
• Viewer Comments: Thyroid Nodules - Treatment
• Viewer Comments: Thyroid Nodules - Symptoms and Signs

Thyroid Nodules Overview

• Nodules are simply lumps which are either solid or fluid-filled. The main function of the thyroid gland in the neck is to make thyroid hormone, which is essential for normal growth and metabolism.
  
  
• Autopsy studies have revealed that up to 50% of all adults die carrying at least one thyroid nodule. These people may or may not have been aware of the presence of their thyroid nodules.
  
  
• Thyroid nodules are found more commonly as people age.
  
  
• Most of these thyroid nodules are benign and not cancerous.
  
  
• Only 5% of all thyroid nodules will be discovered to be thyroid cancer.
   
  • Finding cancer in a thyroid nodule is more likely in a person under the age of 30 or over the age of 60.
    
    
  • However, it is important to remember that only a small percentage of people with thyroid cancer die as a result of their thyroid cancer.