thyroid nodule


thyroid nodule

A visible or palpable mass in the thyroid gland, benign about 90% to 95% of the time. A history of radiation to the head or neck increases the likelihood that the lesion will be malignant, as does the appearance of the nodule in the first decades of life. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is the first and often the definitive diagnostic test. See also: nodule