Goiter disease and its treatment
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ located in the front of the neck. It is responsible for secreting thyroid hormones, which have very important roles in metabolism. Under or overactivity of the thyroid gland can cause serious health problems.
What is goiter?
Enlargement of the thyroid gland is called goiter. This growth can be widespread or nodular. Nodule means lump. Nodules may be single or multiple. Goiter is considered a benign disease of the thyroid gland. Some thyroid nodules secrete hormones, while others may be silent. Goiter disease is more common in women.
What are the causes of goiter?
The main causes of goiter are:
- iodine deficiency
- overactivity of the thyroid gland
- sluggish thyroid gland
- nodules within the thyroid gland
- thyroid cancer
- inflammation of the thyroid gland
- radiation
- some medicines
- genetic
- smoking
What are the symptoms of goiter disease?
Goiter does not show any symptoms in some patients. Some patients may experience neck swelling, pain, difficulty swallowing, cough and difficulty breathing. Symptoms may occur due to under or over functioning of the thyroid gland. If the thyroid gland works too much, palpitations, irritability, diarrhea, weight loss, insomnia and headaches may occur. In case of thyroid gland laziness, weight gain, excessive sleeping, constipation, dry skin and hair loss occur. This condition, popularly known as toxic goiter, occurs when the thyroid gland secretes excessive hormones.
How is goiter diagnosed?
Goiter is diagnosed by the physician with the help of thyroid tests and ultrasonography performed after noticing the swelling. If necessary, scintigraphy and thyroid gland biopsy can be performed.
Goiter surgery
Surgery performed on the thyroid gland is called thyroidectomy. It means surgical removal of the thyroid gland. With this surgery, part or all of the thyroid gland can be removed. In thyroid cancer, lymph nodes close to the thyroid can also be cleaned.
Problems that may occur during goiter surgery include damage to the vocal cords and accidental removal of the parathyroid gland. Parathyroid glands are responsible for maintaining calcium balance in the body. Therefore, removing the parathyroid glands lowers the calcium level in the blood. In this case, it is necessary to supplement the patient with calcium and vitamin D. If the nerves leading to the vocal cords are damaged, hoarseness may occur after surgery.
thyroid cancers
Cancer can be found in 4-20% of nodules seen in the thyroid gland. Usually malignant nodules are single, tend to grow and become hard. Thyroid cancers; It is divided into four: papillary, follicular, medullary and anaplastic. The most malignant one is anaplastic type thyroid cancer, which occurs in older ages.
Fine needle biopsy and scintigraphy are used in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Cancer can be diagnosed by pathologically examining the surgically removed nodule or thyroid gland. Surgical methods and radiotherapy are used in the treatment of thyroid cancer.
