About the thyroid gland:
The thyroid gland is the biggest gland in the neck; its purpose is to
make hormones for regulating the body's metabolism, from heart
beats to the rate at which calories are consumed. In children, the
thyroid gland is essential for normal growth and development.
The thyroid gland is prone to several very distinct problems, some
of which affect millions of Americans. An over-active gland, a
condition called hyperthyroidism, creates too much of the hormone
and can result in an enlarged size or mass, often called a “goiter,"
and can interfere with swallowing or breathing. An over-active
gland will require surgery if the condition can't be controlled
medically.
More worrisome are nodules or lumps within the thyroid that might
be signs of thyroid cancer and could require surgery. These lumps
may appear gradually or very rapidly. Thyroid cancer is more
common in people who have a history of exposure to radiation or
have a family history of thyroid cancer. Even without this, it can
occur at any age, from teenagers to those in midlife and beyond. A
diagnosis of thyroid cancer is made on the basis of a biopsy of a
thyroid nodule or after the nodule is removed during surgery.
Although thyroid nodules are very common, less than 1 in 10 are
cancerous. However, thyroid cancer is one of the few cancers on
the rise in recent years, with a growth rate of about 6% a year since
1997.
make hormones for regulating the body's metabolism, from heart
beats to the rate at which calories are consumed. In children, the
thyroid gland is essential for normal growth and development.
The thyroid gland is prone to several very distinct problems, some
of which affect millions of Americans. An over-active gland, a
condition called hyperthyroidism, creates too much of the hormone
and can result in an enlarged size or mass, often called a “goiter,"
and can interfere with swallowing or breathing. An over-active
gland will require surgery if the condition can't be controlled
medically.
More worrisome are nodules or lumps within the thyroid that might
be signs of thyroid cancer and could require surgery. These lumps
may appear gradually or very rapidly. Thyroid cancer is more
common in people who have a history of exposure to radiation or
have a family history of thyroid cancer. Even without this, it can
occur at any age, from teenagers to those in midlife and beyond. A
diagnosis of thyroid cancer is made on the basis of a biopsy of a
thyroid nodule or after the nodule is removed during surgery.
Although thyroid nodules are very common, less than 1 in 10 are
cancerous. However, thyroid cancer is one of the few cancers on
the rise in recent years, with a growth rate of about 6% a year since
1997.
| Samuel G. Shiley Christopher A. Hargunani |
| Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery Specialists Portland, Oregon |
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