What is the difference between a thyroid nodule and a thyroid adenoma?

There are many differences between thyroid nodules and thyroid adenomas. Thyroid tumors are generally divided into two categories: benign tumors and malignant tumors. Thyroid nodules often appear in thyroid tumors, and many people confuse thyroid tumors with thyroid nodules. So what are the differences between thyroid nodules and thyroid adenomas?

Difference between thyroid nodules and thyroid adenomas

In fact, nodules are just a description of the morphology, which includes tumors, cysts, masses of normal tissues, and thyroid masses caused by other diseases. It is difficult to determine the nature of thyroid nodules clinically. Even in pathological biopsy, it is sometimes difficult to clearly distinguish thyroid adenomas from nodular hyperplasia, benign tumors from malignant tumors. Therefore, the incidence of thyroid tumors is not easy to accurately count.

Thyroid nodules

Thyroid nodules can be divided into nodular thyroid, inflammatory nodules, toxic nodular thyroid, thyroid cysts, thyroid tumors, etc. According to the etiology, early recognition of the nature of thyroid nodules, especially the distinction between benign and malignant lesions, is of great significance for the choice of treatment options and prognosis.

Nodules on the thyroid may be thyroid cancer, thyroid adenoma, nodular thyroiditis or other causes. Before their nature is clarified, they are collectively referred to as thyroid nodules. Among them, only thyroid cancer is a malignant disease. Therefore, not all nodules found on the thyroid are necessarily malignant.

Thyroid tumor

Thyroid tumor is a common disease, and its incidence varies greatly in different regions. Generally, the incidence of thyroid tumor is higher in areas where thyroid tumor is prevalent than in areas where it is not prevalent. Among thyroid tumors, the most common is benign thyroid tumor. Thyroid cancer is not common, but has been increasing year by year in recent years. Surgery proves that 80% of single nodules are benign tumors and 20% are malignant tumors.