TIRADS 4 thyroid nodules are a serious thyroid condition that requires special attention in diagnosis and treatment. This article will provide detailed information on how to treat and prevent TIRADS 4 thyroid nodules so that you can understand and apply appropriate measures.

TIRADS 4 thyroid nodules: Diagnosis and assessment

The TIRADS system, which stands for “Thyroid Imaging Reporting And Data System”, helps classify thyroid nodules based on ultrasound characteristics, thereby assessing the risk of malignancy.

Classified through the TIRADS system based on ultrasound characteristics, TIRADS 4 indicates thyroid nodules with a moderate to high potential for malignancy. TIRADS 4 thyroid nodules are divided into three levels (4A, 4B, 4C) with a risk of malignancy ranging from more than 3% to 70%.

Ultrasound features of TIRADS 4

• Nodule size: TIRADS 4 thyroid nodules are usually evaluated when the nodule size reaches 1 cm or more. Larger nodules often require special attention to assess the malignancy potential.
• Echoicity: The echogenicity of thyroid nodules can vary from isoechoic to hypoechoic, which helps determine the level of suspicion for malignancy.
• Presence of calcifications: Calcification features in thyroid nodules, including microcalcifications or macrocalcifications, are important indicators of the malignant potential of the nodule.

Ultrasound characteristics of TIRADS 4 thyroid nodules include: Nodule size, echogenicity, presence of calcifications

TIRADS 4 Classification

• TIRADS 4A (mild suspicion of malignancy): This is the lowest level of suspicion in the TIRADS 4 group, with a probability of malignancy of more than 3%. Nodules at this level usually have some suspicious features but not many.
• TIRADS 4B (moderate suspicion of malignancy): The probability of malignancy at this level increases to nearly 10%. TIRADS 4B thyroid nodules have more suspicious features than TIRADS 4A and often require additional testing.
• TIRADS 4C (high suspicion of malignancy): This is the highest level of suspicion in the TIRADS 4 group, with a probability of malignancy of 50 – 70%. TIRADS 4C nodules have many suspicious sonographic features and need to be carefully evaluated with additional diagnostic methods such as fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy or molecular biological testing.

Treatments for Thyroid Tumors TIRADS 4

Surgery and Endoscopic Surgery

Traditional Surgery:

• The surgical procedure: Traditional surgery is performed under general anesthesia, ensuring that the patient does not feel pain during the surgery. The surgeon will make an incision from the neck down to access and remove the suspected thyroid tumor. This removal may include all or part of the thyroid gland, depending on the extent and location of the tumor.
• Extended surgery: In some cases, if nearby thyroid tumors or lymph nodes are suspicious, surgery may be extended to examine and remove them. This helps prevent the spread of malignant cells and ensures complete removal of the suspected tumor.

The surgeon will make an incision from the neck down to access and remove the suspected malignant thyroid tumor.

Laparoscopic surgery:

• Laparoscopy procedure: Laparoscopic surgery is also performed under general anesthesia, but uses small surgical tools and an endoscope with a camera. These tools are inserted through small cuts in the neck or through the mouth to reach the thyroid tumor. The surgeon uses images from the endoscope to guide and remove the tumor accurately.
• Advantages of laparoscopic surgery: This method is less invasive than traditional surgery, helping to minimize damage to surrounding tissue, shortening recovery time. Patients often experience less pain and can return to daily activities more quickly.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy with iodine

Chemotherapy with iodine:

• How it works: Iodine is taken orally or injected into a vein and then absorbed by the thyroid gland. The iodine emits radioactive rays to destroy thyroid tumor cells. This radioactive ray has the ability to penetrate deep into cancer cells and destroy them from within.
• Often used for malignant thyroid tumors that cannot be completely removed by surgery. Particularly effective for cases where cancer cells remain after surgery or tumors have spread.

Iodine radiotherapy:

• How it works: Radioactive iodine beams are focused on malignant cells to destroy them.
• Usually given after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells and prevent recurrence, helping to ensure that all cancer cells, including small ones that cannot be seen during surgery, are destroyed, reducing the risk of recurrence and increasing the chance of successful treatment.

Iodine is taken orally or injected into a vein and then absorbed by the thyroid gland.

Preventing Thyroid Tumors TIRADS 4

Healthy Diet

You can prevent thyroid tumors TIRADS 4 with a simple method, starting from your daily diet. Add foods rich in iodine to your diet to maintain healthy thyroid function. Seafood, seaweed, and iodized salt are excellent sources of iodine. Iodine deficiency can lead to the formation of thyroid nodules and increase the risk of developing thyroid tumors.

In addition, a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins not only supports overall health but also helps reduce the risk of thyroid-related diseases.

Include iodine-rich foods in your diet to maintain healthy thyroid function

Protecting the neck from radiation

In addition to a healthy diet, protecting the neck from radiation exposure is also extremely important in preventing TIRADS 4 thyroid nodules. Exposure to radiation, especially during childhood, can increase the risk of developing thyroid nodules. Take precautions to minimize radiation exposure, such as using appropriate shielding techniques during medical procedures such as X-rays or CT scans.

The most important thing is to be aware of avoiding unnecessary exposure to radiation, limiting exposure to unnecessary radiation sources, and complying with radiation safety regulations in the work environment or medical procedures to protect the thyroid.

Regular health check-ups

Regular testing and ultrasound to detect early TIRADS 4 thyroid nodules are very important. Ultrasound helps determine the characteristics of thyroid nodules, thereby classifying the level of malignancy risk and providing timely treatment.

Regular health check-ups help monitor changes and development of thyroid nodules. This helps doctors have a basis for making accurate and effective treatment decisions.

Above is information about TIRADS 4 thyroid nodules, including treatment and prevention. Hopefully, the article has provided readers with a lot of useful knowledge about this disease.