What causes a diffuse goiter?

The most common cause of diffuse, toxic goiter, is Graves disease. It is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the United States and affects 1 in 200 people. It usually affects people between 30 and 50 years of age, but can occur in any age group.

What is a diffuse goiter?

diffuse goitre – where the entire thyroid gland swells and feels smooth to the touch. nodular goitre – where solid or fluid-filled lumps called nodules develop within the thyroid and make the thyroid gland feel lumpy to touch; the nodules can be single or multiple and may contain fluid.

What causes diffuse thyroid disease?

Diffuse toxic goiter is an autoimmune condition characterized by a diffusely hyperplastic thyroid gland with excessive overproduction of thyroid hormone. Graves disease, the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, is characterized by the stigmata of diffuse toxic goiter, oculopathy, and pretibial myxedema/acropachy.

Can a diffuse goiter be cancerous?

Thyroid enlargement Some goiters are diffuse, meaning that the whole gland is large. Other goiters are nodular, meaning that the gland is large and has one or more nodules (bumps) in it. There are many reasons the thyroid gland might be larger than usual, and most of the time it is not cancer.

What is the difference between thyroid and goiter?

An enlarged thyroid gland can be felt as a lump under the skin at the front of the neck. When it is large enough to see easily, it’s called a goiter. A thyroid nodule is a lump or enlarged area in the thyroid gland.

What is diffuse Thyromegaly?

Thyromegaly is more commonly known as a goiter. It’s most often caused by insufficient iodine in the diet, but it can also result from other conditions. The swollen thyroid gland is often visible on the outside of the neck and can cause difficulty with breathing and swallowing.

What does it mean when your thyroid is diffusely heterogeneous?

Heterogeneous echogenicity of the thyroid gland has been associated with diffuse thyroid disease and benign and malignant nodules can coexist with diffuse thyroid disease. Underlying heterogeneous echogenicity might make it difficult to differentiate between benign and malignant nodules on US.

What percentage of goiters are cancerous?

While most thyroid nodules are non-cancerous (Benign), ~5% are cancerous.

When does a goiter need to be removed?

Whether a goiter needs treatment depends on the answers to the three key clinical questions. If the thyroid is so large as to cause symptoms by stretching or compressing adjacent structures, or if it is so big as to be unsightly, surgical removal of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy) may be required.

Which organ is affected by goiter?

A goiter is an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland, which is a butterfly-shaped organ located at the base of your neck. The thyroid gland releases hormones that help control your metabolism and other important processes in your body. Having a goiter doesn’t always mean that your thyroid gland is malfunctioning.