Here is a typical situation. I looked in the mirror, saw some protrusion in the neck area, went to the doctor and during an ultrasound of the thyroid gland a node was revealed - ADENOM. What to do? Such a typically Russian question arises in almost every person who finds out about an adenoma in the thyroid gland.
Of course, the history of adenoma detection may be different. Recently in our Clinic there was a young woman who, out of habit, did not pay any attention to her neck at all. A slight protrusion in the neck was noticed not even by the husband, but by her father. And then, as usual: a trip to the ultrasound room - thyroid adenoma was found.
We will get acquainted with the two main most important characteristics of adenoma.
Adenomas have much in common with other benign nodes in the thyroid gland, but they have 2 key differences. This is not a capsule or size, because, at the beginning of its development, adenomas are similar in size to ordinary nodes.
1. Adenoma differs from ordinary nodes in that its cells multiply (doctors use the word proliferate) not like in a normal node. Cell propagation during the developmental stage occurs from matrix cells. Adenomatosis, as a phenomenon and adenoma, as a result of such a process, are based on the formation of new benign mother cells. Adenoma is cloning. Adenoma is characterized by the same type of tissue. In other nodes, tissue is formed from different cells, i.e. has a different source of development.
Since the development of tissue in the adenoma can be from different initial matrix cells, the corresponding types of adenomas are distinguished.
2. Unlike ordinary nodes, an adenoma in the thyroid gland is always a more active process. It is the intensity of tissue development by proliferation (reproduction) of cells that is the second important sign of adenoma. Therefore, many adenomas are not only medium, but also large.
One might think that not all medium-sized nodes in the thyroid gland are adenomas, but each large node is an adenoma.
Watch a movie-lecture by Dr. A.V. Ushakov on Adenomas of the thyroid gland.
What to do with adenoma?
1. Find out its three sizes and calculate the volume.
2. Determine how much useful tissue outside the adenoma in the thyroid lobe. You can subtract the volume of the node from the volume of the share.
3. Determine the intensity of the blood flow of the adenoma. If possible, determine the speed of blood flow in the large artery of the adenoma.
4. For large nodes, thyroid scintigraphy is indicated. However, this study can help in the diagnosis, and in some cases with nodes of medium size.
5. The stage of adenoma should be evaluated.
All this information will help in predicting and choosing the best treatment option (we will try to explain the presented items in one of the following publications).