What are the ultrasound features of thyroid malignancy?

What are the ultrasound features of thyroid malignancy?

The diagnostic ability to diagnose thyroid malignancy of the following US features was evaluated: solid structure, hypoechogenicity, irregular margins, absence of halo, microcalcifications, central vascularization, solitary nodule, heterogeneity, taller than wide shape, and absence of elasticity.

What do red and blue spots on a thyroid ultrasound mean?

Red and blue denote the color doppler flow imaging of CDFI. Red is the direction of blood flow toward the probe, and blue is the direction of blood flow away from the probe. Color depth represents the speed of blood flow.

Is a thyroid nodule a neoplasm?

Thyroid nodules are a major presentation of thyroid neoplasms, and are diagnosed by ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (USG/FNA) or frequently by thyroidectomy (surgical removal and subsequent histological examination).

Can an ultrasound determine if a thyroid nodule is benign?

The vast majority — more than 95% — of thyroid nodules are benign (noncancerous). If concern arises about the possibility of cancer, the doctor may simply recommend monitoring the nodule over time to see if it grows. Ultrasound can help evaluate a thyroid nodule and determine the need for biopsy.

What does cancerous thyroid nodule look like on ultrasound?

A malignant thyroid nodule tends to have ill-defined margins on ultrasound (Fig. 1). A peripheral halo of decreased echogenicity is seen around hypoechoic and isoechoic nodules and is caused by either the capsule of the nodule or compressed thyroid tissue and vessels [31].

What color are tumors on ultrasound?

For example, most of the sound waves pass right through a fluid-filled cyst and send back very few or faint echoes, which makes them look black on the display screen. But the waves will bounce off a solid tumor, creating a pattern of echoes that the computer will show as a lighter-colored image.

Are neoplasms always malignant?

Neoplasms may be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). Benign neoplasms may grow large but do not spread into, or invade, nearby tissues or other parts of the body. Malignant neoplasms can spread into, or invade, nearby tissues. They can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems.

What is benign neoplasm of thyroid?

Benign neoplasms of thyroid gland are solid or fluid-filled lumps that form within your thyroid, a small gland located at the base of your neck, just above your breastbone. Most thyroid lumps are benign but 5% are malignant and it is important to distinguish this sinister minority.

Can a suspicious thyroid nodule be benign?

There are several types of thyroid nodules. A nodule can be benign, or noncancerous; toxic, meaning it produces too much thyroxine; or cancerous. Doctors at NYU Langone are experts in determining what type you have and choosing the appropriate treatment. About 90 to 95 percent of thyroid nodules are benign.

Are suspicious thyroid nodules always cancerous?

The majority of these are benign; suspicion for malignancy is an indication for surgery, while benign thyroid nodules may be managed conservatively. There is evidence that a large percentage of patients with thyroid nodules (many diagnosed incidentally) are over-treated.

How can ultrasound be used to diagnose thyroid cancer?

This study suggests that ultrasound features of microcalcifications, solid nodule and size larger than 2 cm can be used to identify patients at high risk for thyroid cancer.

Is it possible to find out if you have thyroid cancer?

Thyroid nodules are very common. With the increased use of thyroid ultrasound, some studies suggest that thyroid nodules occur in >50% of the population. Studies report on possibility of thyroid cancer in about 5% of thyroid nodules. Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the best way to find out whether a thyroid nodule is cancerous or benign.

How are thyroid nodules related to the risk of cancer?

Microcalcifications were found in 38% of cancerous nodules and only in 5% of benign, non-cancerous nodules. The risk of cancer increased with the size of nodule. Data analysis of this study showed that only 3 ultrasound features were related with the risk of cancer: microcalcification, nodule size greater than 2 cm, and solid form.

What kind of cancer is found in the thyroid?

Squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid: an aggressive tumor associated with tall cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Mod. Pathol. 2000;13 (7): 742-6. doi:10.1038/modpathol.3880129 – Pubmed citation