What is the significance of a cold node?

What is the significance of a cold node?

A cold node produces little or no hormone, i.e. it presents itself as a "cold" area on thyroid scintigraphy. A fine needle puncture can further clarify whether this is a malignant tumor. About 3% of cold nodes are malignant in patients over 40 years of age, which is much more common (up to 20%) in adolescents and children. Suspicious cold nodules should be further investigated by a fine needle biopsy and histologic examination, if inconclusive, they should be removed by surgery.

Caution: Lymph node swellings in the neck with voice changes, e.g. hoarseness, are very suspicious for the presence of malignancy (thyroid cancer) in goiters with nodules and require immediate clarification by specialists (ENT, endocrinology, nuclear medicine, surgery, etc.).