The term goiter refers to an increase in the size of the thyroid gland. It is common, especially in women.

Goiter in itself is not a disease. It can be present in a wide variety of diseases.

Goiter can cause problems by its size but especially by its association with an abnormality in the functioning of the thyroid gland: thyroid insufficiency (hypothyroidism) or overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), or by its cause, thyroid cancer for example. However, thyroid cancer rarely manifests as a goiter.

Goiter is an increase in the size of the thyroid gland, a gland located at the base of the neck and made up of two lobes linked together by an isthmus. In the normal state, the thyroid weighs 20 to 30 grams.

The thyroid produces thyroid hormones, which are essential for the proper functioning of the body.

Under the influence of various factors, it can increase in size and form a goiter:

– or homogeneously: the increase in volume is then regular and concerns only one or both lobes.

– or heterogeneously: only one or more areas of the thyroid are larger, constituting one or more nodules, hence the term nodular or multi-nodular goiter (see the thyroid nodules sheet).