Cyst or Nodule

What is the difference between a cyst and a nodule?  

Kristina

[stella5349]

Well I am going to take a stab at this  (get it??)  OK.......not funny .

I believe a nodule can be classified as cystic ( soft ) or solid as (hard)  The structure of that nodule  if it is  soft (cystic) - or hard ( solid) will determine many things for the person dealing with it - Like having a biopsy or not for example.

Now I think other cysts can form also that do not fall under a classification as a "nodule".  

Am I close or way off base?

[AR-10]

I was going to answer this earlier, but when I looked up cyst, it sounded a lot like a nodule.

A cyst can be external or internal. A nodule is external. An external cyst can be flat or nodular.

If three or four more people answer, we may get to the truth.
LOL!!

I think I am partially correct, and Stella is MORE partially correct.

:o)

Anyone else want to try?

[Smilerdeb]

ok here goes lol....
I always thought a cyst (fluid filled)  can burst but a nodule (growth) is a growth that cant.
Anyway else wanna try?

[Smilerdeb]

Ok...got it.....

With a Nuclear Medicine scan, the radioactive iodine acts like non-radioactive iodine and is absorbed by the thyroid gland to be used in the production of thyroid hormones. Therefore, functioning thyroid tissue will become radioactive by the absorbtion of the radioactive iodine. Areas of the thyroid which are overly functioning will pick up more radioactive iodine than normal tissue and are referred to as being "hot". Areas of the thyroid that are functioning less than normal or not at all will pick up less or none of the radioactive iodine. These areas are referred to as being "cold". With the use of special "cameras" the radioactive iodine is detected in the thyroid gland and a picture is formed. The "hot" areas will show up darker than normal tissue and the "cold" areas will show up as lighter than normal tissue or as completely blank areas.


The "hot" nodules are overly functioning thyroid tissue, very often palpable from the outer surface of the skin, and are sometimes cancerous tissue. The "cold" nodules are also sometimes palpable from the outer skin surface. These non-functioning areas can be scar tissue, cysts or a variety of non thyroid tissue infiltrating the thyroid gland.

[AR-10]

Close, but no cigar.

The hot nodule/cold nodule part is questionable.
I thought cold nodules could be cancerous, and are often calcified.

But then I'm working with a memory that retains facts for about four seconds, so I could be wrong, AGAIN.

[Barb135]

I'll give it a shot.  I've had cysts and currently have thyroid nodules.

cysts - soft and mushy, filled with fluid or air.  Can burst or be broken

nodule - hard growth - won't burst or pop.  

[Smilerdeb]

Snap! barb lol ....hehehehe

[Smilerdeb]

AR-10...I gave up smoking before Graves diagnosis..pass on the Cigar lol

[ladybug_62301]

when i looked it up myself they sounded the same.  i am pretty sure i now the difference now.  thanks for the help.