According to popular science China news, in the middle of the year, is everyone’s medical examination on the agenda? When getting the medical report, the words “no abnormality” must be what everyone wants to see. However, there are also many people who have found nodules in their lungs, thyroid, breasts and other parts through physical examination. Because they are afraid of developing cancer, they are frightened all day, tossing and turning at night, and they want to quickly remove the matter.
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Is it true that nodules are found in the physical examination? How did the knot come about? Why do some people get lung nodules and others get thyroid nodules? Will it become cancerous? Don’t worry, let’s take a look with me.
How do nodules in the body come from?
Nodules refer to abnormal proliferation of cells in various organs, and can also be understood as “pimples” formed by abnormal proliferation of tissues and organs, which are usually found by imaging or palpation. The “origin” of the nodules is different, and the reasons are naturally varied.
Lung nodules may be related to long-term smoking, inhalation of air pollutants, chest trauma, lung inflammation, tuberculosis, lung tumors, etc.
The occurrence of thyroid nodules is closely related to genetic factors, autoimmunity, long-term exposure to ionizing radiation, and inappropriate iodine intake.
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In addition, bad emotions can affect endocrine hormones, which are closely related to the occurrence of gland nodules such as thyroid and breast.
Breast nodules are one of the clinical manifestations of mammary gland hyperplasia. Breast pain usually occurs when mood changes and overexertion, and prolonged pain will affect the quality of life.
It is very important to maintain a regular work and rest, relax and calm mind, talk to relatives and friends more when encountering problems, maintain moderate exercise, and let “bad emotions” have a suitable outlet.
Can nodules become cancerous?
Not all nodules become cancerous, and it depends on the situation. Typically, a nodule needs to be examined pathologically in order to “decree” whether it is malignant or not. But we can judge the possibility of its malignant transformation through some “clues”.
Age: Thyroid nodules are more likely to be malignant in children and adults aged <30 or >60 years.
Gender: Males have a higher proportion of malignant thyroid nodules than females.
High-risk factors: Long-term smokers are about 20 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers; history of high-risk occupational exposure to asbestos and radioactive substances; family history of lung cancer, especially if first-degree relatives with a history of lung cancer are more likely to develop lung cancer The risk has nearly tripled.
Nodule morphology: Malignant nodules are characterized by unclear borders, irregular shapes, relatively abundant blood supply, and are prone to invasive growth to the surrounding area. Therefore, on the CT report sheet, if you see features such as burrs, lobulation, pleural depression, and vascular bundles, it often indicates a high possibility of malignancy.
Number of nodules: The risk of primary cancer increased as the total number of lung nodules increased from 1 to 4, but decreased with 5 or more nodules. For individual pulmonary nodules, upper lobe distribution was associated with an increased risk of malignancy.
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Nodule size: The risk of lung nodule canceration is positively correlated with nodule size. 80% of pulmonary nodules >2 cm are malignant, the risk of malignancy is 1.3% for pulmonary nodules 0.5 to 1 cm, and less than 1% of pulmonary nodules ≤5 mm in diameter in the subsequent 2 years Shows malignant features.
Concomitant symptoms: When there are compression symptoms or surrounding tissue invasion, it indicates the possibility of malignant nodules.
When the trachea is compressed, there will be symptoms of cough and shortness of breath.
Difficulty in speech may occur when the recurrent laryngeal nerve is involved.
Difficulty swallowing or pain when the esophagus is compressed.
If thyroid cancer metastasizes, chest pain, dyspnea, bone pain, and neurological symptoms may occur.
Breast tumor pulling on the skin can cause orange peel-like changes, and if it is close to the deep part of the nipple, it can cause symptoms such as nipple retraction.
What should I do if I find a nodule?
Finding a nodule is not the same as having early stage cancer. Its significance is more a reminder that there may be health risks in the body.
There is no need to be overly anxious after discovering a nodule, and it is not recommended to blindly self-medicate, and do not try all kinds of “home remedies” that have not been scientifically verified in order to eliminate nodules.
Whether the nodule can be cured or not is related to the source, location, nature and pathological type of the nodule. What everyone needs to do is to bring the medical history information to seek medical treatment in time, and ask the doctor to conduct a comprehensive evaluation.
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If the nodule is benign, then take this opportunity to change bad habits, live a regular life and rest, and seek regular medical follow-up. If the nodule is suspicious for malignancy, after evaluation by a professional physician, ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of the nodule can be performed for pathological biopsy. If cancer is diagnosed and no metastasis has occurred, surgical resection can usually achieve the purpose of cure; if metastasis has occurred, combined with Combined therapy with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In short, if you find a nodule, don’t panic and go to the hospital for examination in time