Follicular swelling of the thyroid gland - what is it? Clinical features and symptoms

The thyroid gland is a small organ located on the neck of a person. It is characterized by its small size and weighs only a few grams, but due to the influence of various unfavorable factors, these indicators can increase. The thyroid gland produces three hormones that affect the functioning of many organs and systems. It is especially important that it functions normally in children, as this affects their growth and development.

In the event of any disturbance, a follicular tumor of the thyroid gland arises. What it is? Let's try to figure this out.

Causes of the disease

The pathology of the thyroid gland is formed under the influence of many negative factors that provoke the appearance of various nodes and formations. Diseases of this organ are often enough. Basically, education is benign, and only in 5% of cases they are malignant.

The pathology of thyroid gland arises for the following reasons:

• Shortage in the body of iodine or, conversely, its excess amount;
• Hereditary predisposition;
• A hormonal balance disorder that occurs due to age-related changes, childbirth, the use of drugs with hormones;
• The use of carcinogenic food or with harmful additives with a lack of fruits and vegetables;
• Abuse of bad habits;
• Adverse environmental effects;
• The effect on the body of toxic substances;
• Disorders of the endocrine system;
• Radiation exposure;
• Taking medications.

There are other reasons that contribute to the development of diseases of this body. This can be frequent stresses, reduced immunity, insufficient physical activity.

Types of thyroid tumors

Malignant formation of this organ can have several types:

• Papillary swelling occurs quite often and is characterized by slow growth. After a while, it sprouts into the capsule of the organ, affecting the blood vessels and lymph nodes, through which it begins to metastasize.
• The follicular (B-cell) tumor of the thyroid gland is also quite common. This type of cancer metastasizes through the blood vessels, and the lymph nodes remain untouched. Localization of metastases occurs in the liver, lungs and bone system.
• Medullary (C-cell) carcinoma is inherited. It grows at a moderate pace and metastasizes through the lymph nodes.

Follicular tumor of the thyroid: what is it?

Follicular type formation can be an adenoma (benign tumor) or adenocarcinoma (a malignant tumor). They are quite difficult to distinguish from each other, so during the examination of the patient the doctor makes a preliminary diagnosis without specifying the nature of the disease. With benign and malignant formation, a capsule appears, which the cells of the adenoma can not rupture. But adenocarcinoma breaks it and sprouts into surrounding tissues.

The follicular tumor of the thyroid gland (adenoma) is found mainly in women. Men from this pathology suffer 3 times less.

Since this organ has two parts - the right and the left, then, according to statistics, only one of them is usually affected, and this is usually the right side. Very dangerous is considered an adenoma of the isthmus, which often turns into a malignant condition.

The follicular tumor of the right lobe of the thyroid gland (adenoma), if large, delivers an aesthetic discomfort in the neck. In addition, it becomes difficult to swallow.

Clinical Features

Follicular tumor of the thyroid gland - what is it and what are its clinical features? This formation is characterized by a round or oval shape with perfectly delineated boundaries. In its essence, this is a large number of follicles, encapsulated in a connective tissue. Such formation is not able to germinate into other vessels and tissues.

The main danger of this pathology is that the adenoma can turn into adenocarcinoma, that is, become a malignant neoplasm. Therefore, if there is a suspicion of a follicular tumor of the thyroid gland of benign form, it should be constantly observed in the endocrinologist, who, if necessary, will select the correct treatment.

Symptoms of follicular type of tumor

If the thyroid gland is small, it does not disturb the person in any way. With a large volume, it is palpated by palpation. The large size of the tumor begins to exert pressure on the nearby tissues, which causes the patient to change his voice, becoming hoarse and hoarse. A person can hardly swallow and breathe, and in the throat there is a sensation of an extraneous object. When the nerves are squeezed, pain syndrome appears. If the blood vessels of the organ are subjected to pressure, a blood circulation disorder occurs.

Adenocarcinoma can be accompanied by the occurrence of metastases. In addition, the presence of a malignant form is indicated by the following symptoms:

• Increased fatigue;
• drowsiness;
• irritability;
• cardiopalmus;
• Lethargy;
• dyspnea;
• Sharp weight loss.

The patient may also react poorly to heat. The most severe symptoms are arrhythmia and myocardial dystrophy.

Diagnostics

If the pathological organ is large, then you can grope it yourself. A small thyroid gland is detected by ultrasound. To determine the type and nature of the disease, prescribe a fine needle biopsy.

Methods of treatment

If a follicular tumor of the thyroid gland was detected , the treatment is prescribed, focusing on its stage and localization. In some cases, partial excision of the cells of education and its share is performed, in others - this organ is completely removed.

Classical treatment of the follicular species of the thyroid gland includes:

• Complete or partial removal of the organ;
• Use of radioactive iodine to prevent metastases and relapse of the tumor;
• Hormonal treatment;
• Postoperative monitoring of the patient.

Surgery

If the patient was diagnosed with a "follicular thyroid tumor," the operation would be the only way to relieve him of this pathology.

When only one part of the organ is affected, hemithyroidectomy is used, that is, it is removed. To perform it, you need a strict indication obtained from a cytological biopsy. After carrying out this operation, there is a possibility of developing hypothyroidism, which requires replacement therapy with hormones.

Thyroidectomy is used extremely rarely, when the organ is completely amazed. After its carrying out relapses of a tumor practically do not arise. In addition, appoint iodine therapy with a lifelong hormone replacement treatment.

Resection of the thyroid gland is also very rare. If the tumor recurs in the event of a re-operation, difficulties arise because of the scarring.

Treatment with radioactive iodine

The thyroid gland can only be treated with radioactive iodine 131, only it is toxic to such pathogenic cells. But such a drug is not shown in all cases, but only when:

• The tumor grows very much;
• There are metastases with penetration into the lymph nodes;
• Education is growing fast enough;
• The patient is diagnosed with vascular invasion.

Such treatment is mandatory for the elderly. After the operation, this drug should be administered within the first month.

Hormonal therapy

If the thyroid gland has been removed completely or partially, the patient is prescribed a lifelong replacement therapy with the use of a hormonal complex. The follicular tumor responds to the thyroid-stimulating hormone produced by the pituitary gland, so the patient is usually prescribed an exogenous hormone, the intake of which reduces the risk of re-growth of pathogenic cells.

Forecast

If a follicular tumor of the thyroid gland is diagnosed, the prognosis for its treatment will not be too favorable. If the volume of education does not exceed one centimeter, the forecast will be successful in half of the cases. In the absence of metastases, about 20% of life is guaranteed in 80% of cases after therapeutic treatment.

If the tumor is rather small, a favorable prognosis occurs in 95% of reported cases. If its size is very large, a complete cure is possible in 50% of patients.

Conclusion

So, we have told about such disease, as a follicular tumor of a thyroid gland. What it is, you now know. This is a very serious organ damage, which can be both benign and malignant. The pathology is cured only in an operative way. With timely treatment, the prognosis is quite favorable.