I frequently get calls from patients who are very concerned because they have just found out that they have “nodules”, and because this is a term that most people don’t use very often, it is sometimes a little scary. It shouldn’t be.

The word “nodule” is just a descriptive term that has remained popular through the years to describe a small enlargement of a portion of the thyroid gland. You could just as easily call it a tumor, a mass, a lump, a bump, a ball, a lesion, an abnormality, a growth, and so on, and so on.

So, don’t be overly upset that you have a thyroid “nodule”. Yes, it is something that has to be evaluated, but the overwhelming majority of these things are not cancer and of little consequence. The important thing is to get evaluated by someone who really knows how to evaluate these things, and be certain that it is not a cancer. Again, most aren’t, but please consult with your doctor and get a thorough evaluation.