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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    I have a thyroid nodule - is this serious?

    Related Topic
    Thyroid Cancer
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  • Dr Devina Joshi

    Endocrinologist

    Dr Devina Joshi is a Sydney-trained endocrine physician and diabetes specialist. She is one of the founding partners of North Sydney Specialists. Dr Devina Joshi … View Profile

    Thyroid nodules are common and present in >60% of people aged above 60. Most are benign (not cancerous) but some do require a fine needle biopsy (a needle inserted into the nodule to take some cells out and put under a microscope). This depends on the size of the nodule, if it has suspicious ultrasound features, if there is a family history among other things. Some nodules can just be observed over time while others do need to be removed by surgery. Some nodules removed by surgery do turn out to be thyroid cancer. These can need other treatment including radioactive odine. Although the incidence of thyroid cancers is increasing; this is at least partially due to early diagnosis and treatment. Thyroid cancer can have recurrences (come back) but generally the mortality (death rate) from thyroid cancer is very low.

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