Thyroid Nodule Treatment In Mumbai, India

The thyroid gland in your neck can develop abnormal cell growth called a thyroid nodule. While usually not harmful, sometimes these nodules can be cancerous or cause pressure and cosmetic issues. So, it’s important to get treatment for thyroid nodules promptly.

In Mumbai, India, there are many options for treating thyroid nodules, including non-surgical methods. But in some cases, surgery is necessary. It’s important to know that effective treatment for thyroid nodules without surgery is available in India, providing comprehensive care for this condition. For those thinking about thyroid nodule surgery in India, Mumbai has advanced options for personalized and effective treatment.

Thyroid Nodule Treatment in Mumbai

What are thyroid nodules?

An endocrine gland is a group of cells in any vertebrate animal’s body that releases substances meant to be released in blood vessels. A human body has many such glands performing important functions, and your thyroid is one such gland.

The thyroid is a small gland made as a combination of two lobes that give it a shape of a small butterfly. The thyroid is located at the front of the neck, just below the location of Adam’s apple. The thyroid gland produces three important hormones – triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), and calcitonin. These hormones are responsible for ensuring several functions of the body:

  • Metabolism.
  • Body temperature.
  • Physical growth and development
  • Mood and excitability.
  • Cardiovascular health, including pulse and heart rate.
  • Digestion.

Types of thyroid nodules

Now, as mentioned above, thyroid nodules are undesirable cellular growth that might develop around the thyroid region. They may take several forms. Based on the number, they can be classified as:

  • Solitary – marked by the existence of a single thyroid nodule or,
  • Multiple – (more than one nodule).

Based on their content, they can be classified as:

  • Cystic that is, fluid-filled, or,
  • Solid.

Finally, based on whether they can cause thyroid cancer, they can be classified as

  • Benign, or,
  • Cancerous.

Please note that most – nine out of every ten thyroid nodules are benign. However, it is really important to get treatment for cancerous ones. Similarly, solid nodules are far more likely to be cancerous. However, even benign ones can be an indicator of some thyroid diseases.

For individuals seeking effective thyroid nodules treatment in Mumbai it is comforting to know that the city has advanced and specialized medical options. Tailored treatments in Mumbai make sure people get comprehensive care for their thyroid nodules and overall thyroid health.

Who is most suspectable of thyroid nodules?

Everyone can have thyroid nodules – and that includes children, old people, and adults, male or females. However, those assigned as females at birth are four times more likely to get this disease than those assigned the male sex at birth. Similarly, people are increasingly more likely to get this condition as they grow older. Thus, children are least likely to have them.

Another factor that can leave one more suspectable is Iodine fortification. Iodine is a mineral that is required by the thyroid gland to make its hormones. Using Iodised salt is one of the most common ways of meeting your body’s Iodine requirements. However, Iodine fortification is not available in all regions of the world, and people living in those regions that are deprived of it are more suspectable of thyroid nodules.

Another crucial factor is family history. If you have had family members who have thyroid nodules or thyroid cancer, then you are also suspectable of the same.

Lifestyle choices are also a major factor. People that are obese, consume alcohol excessively, or smoke is more likely to get thyroid nodules.

Having the following health conditions (or health history) can also make you susceptible of thyroid nodules:

History of thyroid radiation.

Iron-deficiency anaemia.

Uterine fibroids.

Family history of thyroid nodules, thyroid disease, or thyroid cancer.

Metabolic syndrome.

Increasing age.

An increase in levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (a hormone).

Are thyroid nodules common?

Thyroid nodules can be said to be fairly common. Though they are revealed in only one in twenty or so patients upon physical examination, ultrasound imaging tells another story. It reveals that 20 percent to 76 percent of adults may have these nodules. As mentioned above, in most cases, these nodules are benign.

When should one worry about thyroid nodules?

If you can see or feel the nodule in your throat, then it is time to see a healthcare expert about it. Thyroid cancer is like any other form of cancer – the earlier it is diagnosed, the easier it is likely to be treated, and the more likely you are to be cured. Thus, even though your thyroid nodule may be benign, it is always a smart choice to see an expert about it.

What are the most common symptoms of thyroid nodules?

Actually, there are no symptoms in most cases. The most visible symptom is the nodule themselves, which may be quickly visible.

Big enough nodules can also result in the following symptoms

  • Increased problems with swallowing or breathing.
  • Hoarseness or other voice changes.
  • Some pain in the front of your neck.
  • Formation of goitre as your thyroid gland enlarges.
  • Hyperthyroidism (discussed in detail below).
  • Hypothyroidism (discussed in detail below).

Please note that the lack of symptoms doesn’t necessarily suggest that the thyroid nodule is harmless.

Hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules can lead to excessive production of thyroid hormones – this condition is known as hyperthyroidism. Some common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

  • Palpitations or rapid heartbeat.
  • Nervousness.
  • Otherwise, inexplicable weight loss.
  • An inexplicable increase in appetite.
  • Diarrhoea and bowel movements of increased frequency.
  • Difficulty in sleeping.
  • Light or missed menstrual periods.
  • Goitre.

On the other hand, thyroid nodules can also be associated with low thyroid hormone levels – a condition that is known as hypothyroidism. Some symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

  • Constant fatigue.
  • Numbness or tingling in your hands.
  • Weight gain.
  • Dry and coarse skin and hair.
  • Constipation.
  • Depression.
  • Frequent, heavy menstrual periods.

About Dr Gaurav Gangwani

Dr. Gaurav Gangwani - Interventional Radiologist in Mumbai

Dr Gaurav Gangwani had 10+ years of experience. Build valuable relationships with patients

I am an Interventional Radiologist. My speciality is a unique one where I offer minimally invasive interventions which can treat complex medical conditions without the need for surgery.

With a rich academic and research experience, I am hoping to add the same services for a variety of interventions in Mumbai now. My strength is understanding the patient mindset and being transparent with the counselling explaining everything.

So that the patients are empowered with the knowledge to choose or reject treatment decisions wisely.

What are its common causes?

Well, the brief answer is we don’t know. Nodules can form for several reasons. Some of the most important of these reasons for thyroid nodules include the following:

  • Colloid nodules are formed by overgrowths of thyroid tissue.

Since they are mere overgrowths of normal thyroid tissue, they are benign. They may grow large but won’t spread. They are also the most common type.

  • Thyroid cysts are growths filled with fluid.

They are at least partially filled with fluid and do pose a low risk for malignancy (which can cause cancer). They are either monitored or can be biopsied in case they get larger than two centimetres.

  • Inflammatory nodules are caused by chronic swelling in the thyroid gland.

They are caused if there was a long-term swelling or inflammation in the thyroid gland and may or may not cause pain.

  • Multinodular goitre is goitre made of many nodules. Most of these nodules are benign.
  • Hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules are the nodules that lead to hyperthyroidism. 

They can cause hyperthyroidism by producing extra thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism will need medical treatment.

  • Thyroid cancer

Thyroid Cancer is the biggest medical concern when it comes to thyroid nodules. Up to 6.5 percent of cases with thyroid nodules may have cancer.

Diagnosis of thyroid nodules

In most cases, these nodules are either discovered by the patient themself or by their physician during a physical exam or an imaging test done due to some other medical reason. In most cases, they are going to be harmless, yet it is imperative to do a further test to ensure that they won’t be malign.

The health care provider may order any of the following tests for the purpose:

  • Thyroid blood test

As the name suggests, a thyroid blood test will check the levels of thyroid hormone in one’s blood. The hormone levels in question are usually normal even if the patient does have nodules – and thus, a normal result is inconclusive, but they can be abnormal in other cases, and that would point to thyroid disease.

  • Thyroid ultrasound 

The imaging test uses ultrasound waves to create images of a patient’s thyroid gland. One of the biggest advantages of this test is that it can determine if a nodule is solid or a fluid-filled cyst. It can also check the growth of nodules, and that will help find nodules that may be otherwise difficult to feel. The test is one of the more accurate tests and can also help find a place for the needle during a fine-needle biopsy (discussed below). 

  • Fine-needle biopsy

This biopsy, as its name suggests, involves the use of a very thin needle. The needle is used to just take a sample of cells from one or more thyroid nodules. These cell samples can be evaluated through laboratory tests. In most cases, the results will be conclusive that the nodules are benign. In other cases, they may show inconclusive results, and the biopsy might have to be repeated.

  • Thyroid scan

The test involves first taking a small amount of radioactive Iodine orally. Afterward, a scan is done to check how much of this radioactive Iodine was absorbed by your normal thyroid tissue and how much was absorbed by the thyroid nodules. This information can then be analysed by physicians to determine the likelihood of cancer.

How to get thyroid nodule treatment?

The  thyroid nodule treatment option will depend on the nature of thyroid nodules. In the case of benign nodules, the best strategy is to do nothing but monitor the nodules for changes. Some other treatments include the following:

  • Radioactive Iodine

Radioactive Iodine can be used as a thyroid nodule treatment hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules. The nodules will absorb Iodine and shrink. It is the perfect thyroid nodule treatment without surgery.

Thyroid nodule removal surgery

Thyroid nodule removal surgery is the best treatment in most cases of cancerous thyroid nodules, especially those that cause problems in breathing or swallowing. Thyroid nodule removal surgery is only done in case of malignant nodes.

  • Thyroid calcification treatment

    Apart from Thyroid nodule removal surgery, a Thyroid calcification treatment may also be desirable in some cases. Calcification is the formation of calcium deposits in and around the thyroid. It is a rather common phenomenon in benign as well as malignant thyroid nodules. They are also an indicator that the nodules are more likely to be cancerous. Dr. Gangwani offers best thyroid calcification treatment in India. 

How to prevent thyroid nodules?

Since we do not know what causes thyroid nodules in most cases, it is not always possible to prevent them. However, a lot can be done to reduce one’s susceptibility to them. Some of the measures you can easily take to reduce the thyroid nodule threat include the following:

  • Lose weight in case you are obese. Reducing obesity can also help reduce your susceptibility to other health issues,
  • Drink less alcohol or avoid it altogether. Drinking less will also help you reduce obesity.
  • Consume Iodine in the diet. Using Iodised table salt is the perfect way of ensuring that.
  • Stop smoking or at least reduce it.
  • Taking oral birth control and/or statins can also help.

What about the prognosis for thyroid nodules?

The prognosis for benign thyroid nodules is immense, and they often don’t need treatment. Only a small percentage of benign thyroid nodules might cause thyroid disease, which is also treatable. The problem comes with malignant thyroid nodules and will vary on several factors, including:

  • The kind of cancer.
  • Patient’s age at diagnosis.
  • The size of the nodule or tumour in question.
  • Whether it has spread to nearby tissues, such as lymph nodes.
  • Whether it has metastasized to distant parts of the patient’s body.

If the patient does have thyroid cancer, then the healthcare provider can provide a more accurate prognosis for the specific case.

When to see a healthcare provider about a thyroid nodule?

If a person notices a bump in their thyroid, they should see a physician about it even if there are no further symptoms. Even if the nodule is benign, it is important to get it regularly checked by a physician.

Impact of Thyroid Nodules Different In The Case Of Children

Answer: As noted above, thyroid nodules are far less common in children. In cases where they are present, they are far more likely to be malignant in children. Apart from that, the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment are the same for children and adults.

Dr. Gaurav Gangwani provides the best thyroid nodule treatment without surgery in India. Not only thyroid nodule removal surgery and thyroid nodule treatment without surgery, but we also provide treatments and surgeries for several other health problems. For best treatment for varicose veins, diabetic foot ulcer ointment etc., contact us now.

Contact us

Don't Hesitate to Contact us for any Information

Call us to this number for immediate support

Contact Us