Thyroid adenoma
Thyroid adenoma is an encapsulated, benign tumor that is formed from the thyroid epithelium and is characterized by independent growth and functioning. This is a fairly common thyroid disease, which is most often found in women. The most dangerous period for the development of this disease, the age of 40 to 50 years. This disease, due to hormonal activity, can provoke thyrotoxicosis. This type of adenoma belongs to a group of tumors with potential malignancy, that is, over time it can transform into thyroid cancer.
Causes of adenoma
The mechanism and causes provoking the development of this disease are not yet known at the moment. It is possible that the risk factor for its development is hypersecretion of thyrotropin, mutations in the gene that encodes pituitary hormone receptors, and a violation of sympathetic innervation.
Thyroid adenoma is quite common in the presence of a non-toxic node. Therefore, it is possible to identify an approximate group of factors that can lead to the occurrence of this disease: hereditary predisposition, living in areas where the iodine content in water and soil is low, nodular euthyroid goiter.
Thyroid adenoma can be triggered by injuries that are received in the neck area, such as bruises and bruises. The presence of autoimmune diseases also significantly increases the likelihood of developing this type of adenoma.
The growth of thyroid adenoma occurs monocentrically, that is, it is a single node that develops rather slowly. At the initial stage of the disease, the adenoma does not cause a violation of the hormonal balance, at this time the formation of the node itself occurs, with a “cold” or “warm” character.
Gradually, the size of the node increases, its functional activity increases, which causes a violation of TSH secretion.
Symptoms of adenoma
The disease, while at the initial stage of development, has practically no symptoms, it can be detected by accident, during ultrasound or during a medical examination. When palpation in the neck area, the presence of a solitary nodular formation in one lobe of the thyroid gland is recorded.
With a significant increase in the adenoma, shortness of breath, a feeling of pressure, dysphagia, and a noticeable deformation of the neck are noted.
With prolonged development of the adenoma, it is accompanied by the development of a toxic nodular goiter, its malignant degeneration and hemorrhage into the adenoma tissue.
The development of toxic adenoma is characterized by:
unreasonable weight loss, with unchanged eating habits;
poor heat and heat tolerance;
tremor, sweating, fatigue;
increased irritability;
tearfulness, insomnia, anxiety;
arterial hypertension;
angina attacks;
atrial fibrillation or sinus tachycardia.
It is possible to manifest conditions such as fever, regular gastrointestinal disorders, edema, heart failure, menstrual cycle disorders in women, infertility and loss of potency in men.
Diagnosis of adenoma
Instrumental and laboratory tests are assigned:
Ultrasound;
radioisotope scanning;
thyroid hormones;
thyroid biopsy;
ECC;
EchoCG.
Treatment of adenoma
As a rule, surgical removal of an adenoma is prescribed, with the exception of colloidal adenoma. Before this, treatment with thyrostatic drugs is carried out beforehand.
If surgical intervention is impossible, or in elderly people, the use of radioactive iodine treatment is indicated.
