How to distinguish benign and malignant thyroid nodules

Thyroid nodule benign and malignant differentiation mainly depends on palpation, imaging examination, nodule growth rate, laboratory examination, fine needle biopsy, etc., sometimes need comprehensive judgment, if necessary, surgical resection and pathological examination. Pregnant women and lactating women should consult obstetricians and endocrinologists. Thyroid nodule benign and malignant differentiation mainly through the following aspects: Palpation and imaging: examination by palpation and imaging performed by a physician (such as ultrasound, CT, MRI, etc.) to assess the size, shape, location, boundaries, calcification and other characteristics of nodules. Malignant nodules usually present as irregular shape, ill-defined boundaries, hypoechoic, microcalcifications, etc. Growth rate of nodules: If the nodules grow rapidly in a short period of time, it may indicate the possibility of malignancy. Laboratory tests: Laboratory tests, such as thyroid function and thyroid autoantibodies, may provide clues as to the nature of the nodule. Fine needle aspiration biopsy: This is an invasive test in which cells are taken from the nodule with a fine needle for pathological examination to determine whether the nodule is benign or malignant. It should be noted that the above methods cannot accurately distinguish between benign and malignant thyroid nodules, and sometimes it may be necessary to combine multiple examination results to make a judgment. For highly suspected malignant nodules, surgical resection and pathological examination are usually required to confirm the diagnosis. For patients with thyroid nodules, especially those with a family history, neck radiation therapy, and older people, regular thyroid ultrasound should be performed to detect and treat nodules early. If thyroid nodules are found, seek medical attention promptly and follow the doctor's recommendations for further examination and treatment. In addition, the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules in pregnant and lactating women requires special caution, as some tests and treatments may affect the fetus or baby. In these cases, professional obstetricians and endocrinologists should be consulted to ensure safe and appropriate treatment options.