What is thyroid adenoma? What are the common causes?

What is a thyroid adenoma?

Thyroid adenoma is a benign tumor originating from thyroid follicular cells and is the most common benign tumor of the thyroid gland. It is prone to occur during the active stage of thyroid function. Clinically, it is divided into two types: follicular adenoma and papillary solid adenoma, with the former being more common. It is usually a single, well-defined nodule in the thyroid capsule with a complete capsule, and is 1 to 10 cm in size. This disease exists sporadically throughout the country and is slightly more common in areas where endemic thyroid adenoma is prevalent.

Causes of thyroid adenoma:

1. Gender

The incidence of thyroid adenoma in women is 5 to 6 times that in men, suggesting that gender factors may be related to the onset of the disease.

2. Oncogenes

The expression of oncogene c-myc can be found in thyroid adenomas. Activation mutation and overexpression of oncogene H-ras can also be found in adenomas. Mutations of proteins involved in the TSH-G protein adenylyl cyclase signaling pathway can also be found in hyperfunctional adenomas, including mutations in the extracellular and transmembrane segments of the transmembrane functional domain of the TSH receptor and mutations in the stimulatory GTP-binding protein.

3. Familial tumor syndrome

Thyroid adenomas may occur in some familial tumor syndromes, including Cowden disease and Catney syndrome.

4. External radiation exposure

People who have had X-rays of their head, neck, or chest during childhood also have an increased risk of thyroid tumors.