1. Hyperthyroidism Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the Thyroid Disorder Quiz
3. Thyroid Symptoms and Solutions Slideshow Pictures

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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Causes of thyroid nodules can be classified as benign or malignant.

Benign Thyroid Nodules

Multinodular goiter: Multinodular goiter is an overall enlargement of the thyroid gland (called goiter) can result from nodules containing too many normal thyroid cells (referred to as hyperplasia) and/or filled with extra colloid. Colloid is the protein-containing substance normally storing thyroid hormone inside the thyroid gland.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis: Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common form of underactive thyroid disease, this form of hypothyroidism can be associated with thyroid nodules and goiter.

Thyroid cyst: Commonly caused by a nodule which is bleeding or degenerating (breaking down), these blood or colloid-filled nodules can be associated with thyroid pain.

Benign thyroid tumors (thyroid adenomas)

• Hurthle cell adenoma
  
  
• Follicular adenoma

Malignant Thyroid Nodules

Thyroid Cancer (also called thyroid carcinomas)

• Papillary thyroid carcinoma
  
  
• Follicular thyroid carcinoma
  
  
• Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma
  
  
• Medullary thyroid carcinoma
  
  
• Thyroid lymphoma
  
  
• Metastatic cancers from other sources, including breast, kidney and lung cancers

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