Nodules are solid , well-circumscribed and small formations that can form in numerous organs of the body, in particular those of the thyroid are known , but among other sites they can also occur in the lungs , vocal cords , kidneys, breasts, to the liver , and to the neck .
In most cases they are not detectable by touch, except those in the breast , neck or, in a minor part, those in the thyroid, and you become aware of their presence by chance during medical checkups or prevention (especially if you are undergoing an ultrasound).
The term nodule often takes on a distorted meaning, immediately triggering fears, anguish and fear that it is a synonym for tumor. But this is not the case, except for a smaller number of cases, in fact it is mostly benign formations.
In any case, when the presence of a nodule is identified, its nature must be ascertained, therefore, after evaluating its size, number, location and its evolution (i.e. growth), we proceed by analyzing its composition by means of of a fine needle aspiration, ie a sampling of the contents of the nodule and subsequent microscopic investigation.
Based on what emerged from the investigations, the doctor assesses the need to surgically remove the nodule (in a smaller percentage of cases), or, more commonly, the need to perform regular check-ups.
The concept that must be clear is that the presence of a lump does not automatically mean tumor , except in a small percentage of cases, and that checks are carried out precisely to avert or limit this danger.
Provided the main notions on what is meant by nodule, where they are mainly located and why they should be subjected to checks, we can expand the discussion on some of the main localizations of nodules : the lungs , theneck , liver and vocal cords .
What are pulmonary nodules
They are often formations that are randomly identified during a preventive or control diagnostic investigation carried out for another pathology, this is because they cannot be felt to the touch and because they generally do not give symptoms.
When symptoms are present they include chronic cough , difficulty breathing and the presence of sputum (phlegm) with traces of blood . The nodules are clearly evident on a chest X-ray , appearing dense, well circumscribed and small in size, which can occur in one or both lungs.
Once identified, it is not necessary to be excessively frightened, in fact the nodules have a malignant significance in a small percentage of cases, and are often linked to risk factors such as smoking , family cases of lung cancer and previous neoplasms that may have given rise to metastases .
In most cases, on the other hand, the nodules have a benign significance and are linked to lung infections ( tuberculosis , pneumonia ) or exposure to irritating substances (dust and fibers) which, once inhaled, are deposited in the lungs, creating states of inflammation, such as in the case of talc, coal and silicon (which exists in silicosis).
What are neck nodules
Statistically, neck nodules are among those (as in the case of the breast and axillary cavity), which are most identified by touch. They are perceived as raised, solid and well-circumscribed nodular formations that may not give any type of symptoms or may be associated with pain, burning sensation, difficulty in swallowing, itching, and again, with widespread symptoms such as fatigue and fever.
As with other nodules, perceiving their presence can generate strong concern, but the root causes can be multiple and, in most cases, it is a transient phenomenon and related to an infection or inflammation. But sometimes they can be a signal that you need to undergo in-depth investigations.
When can neck nodules occur
- In case of infection (from a simple cold to a tonsillitis), there is an enlargement of the lymph nodes in the neck that appear in relief and well palpable. In this case, once the infection is resolved, the lymph nodes return to their normal size;
- The lump can be the consequence of an inflammation process in the salivary glands (by anatomical site we refer to the submandibular gland and the sublingual gland), or to the formation of a salivary stone , that is a calcium aggregate that obstructs the normal outflow of saliva in the oral cavity, resulting in swelling of the aforementioned glands. Often a hard, confined formation in the neck and related to a thyroid nodule . Also in this case the presence of the nodule does not necessarily indicate a tumor, however it is essential to subject the training to medical evaluation;
- In a small percentage of cases, a lump in the neck may indicate a tumor of the carotid glomus, located at the level of the carotid bifurcation, or a lymphoma, or even a metastasis.
Therapies must necessarily be indicated by a doctor, however generally in case of infection and / or inflammation they involve the administration of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drugs, and in the case of salivary stones massages can be useful to help drain the salivary stone, or if this is of significant size, surgical removal is carried out.
In the case of cancer, the therapies focus on chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatments, or involve the removal of the nodule through surgery (not always possible, especially in the case of metastases, due to the danger of spreading malignant cells).
Let’s explore the characteristics of vocal cord nodules and liver nodules .
They are also simply called vocal nodules and are a thickening of the mucous membrane that lines the vocal cords, which often occurs bilaterally (thus affecting both cords) and symmetrical.
Nodules occur mainly in women and in categories considered at risk due to the wide use and abuse of the voice, therefore in singers and teachers. The nodule prevents the normal approach of the vocal cords during phonation (ie the production of sounds, therefore of the voice), which are unable to approach leaving a vent of air even when the voice is emitted.
This impediment causes dysphonia, i.e. an alteration of the voice, which in the early stages of the disorder occurs only as a result of fatigue and then manifests itself as a permanent condition.
When voice disorders occur, the referring physician and the otolaryngology specialist, who after an accurate analysis of the disorder, diagnoses the nodule easily by means of an endoscopic investigation, i.e. through a laryngoscopy, through which it is very clear from the images reported by the probe the presence of the thickening on the vocal cords.
As for therapy, if the nodule in the vocal cords is identified in its initial stagesit can regress by itself, as long as the use of the voice is corrected and therefore no longer exerted. If, on the other hand, the condition is in an advanced stage, a surgical removal is carried out, followed by a period of absolute rest of the voice, therefore remaining silent for a few days. This period is followed by a functional re-education of the voice, in order to teach how to use the vocal cords without tiring them.
The vocal nodule is therefore a treatable condition, however if the conditions that led to its formation persist again, the problem will tend to recur.
Liver nodules: why they form and how they are identified
In a small percentage of cases, liver nodulesthey are identified by touch, if they reach considerable size as for example in hepatocellular adenoma, but in most cases they are discovered during routine checks, often during an ultrasound of the abdomen.
A liver lump can have several meanings, and of course it is not always synonymous with cancer or life-threatening. In fact, in the majority of cases these are benign formations, of course, to be kept under regular observation behind the medical indication. However, in a very low percentage compared to all cases, these are malignant nodules. Let’s see some examples:
Benign nodules
Among these the most common form is the hemangioma, and there is a probable relationship with taking the contraceptive pill, therefore the female sex is more interested than the male. Often the nodules are multiple and are associated with pre-existing liver conditions, such as cirrhosis.
In hepatocellular adenoma there is the formation of nodules that can reach quite considerable dimensions, to the point of causing abdominal pain and being evident to the touch. In this case, the therapeutic indications vary according to the size and state of the subject, sometimes the indication is limited to performing regular check-ups to monitor the evolution of the nodule, sometimes instead a surgical removal is indicated, especially if there is a danger of bleeding.
In nodular hyperplasia in the “recurrent” variant the nodules can be multiple and generally the therapeutic indication involves surgical removal.
Malignant nodules
Symptoms are generally more distinct and include persistent abdominal pain , tactile masses, jaundice (manifested by yellowish discoloration of the skin and corneas) and fever .
It is a condition often linked to patients who have contracted hepatitis B or C viruses (HCB and HCV) and developed hepatitis or cirrhosis, conditions of chronic inflammation and cellular disruption. The therapies available depend on the size and characteristics of the patient, and include pharmacological treatment in treatable cases, or surgical removal, or even a transplant.
Share on:
