Thyroid nodules
Thyroid nodules are enlarged cells that form in the thyroid gland and form a lump or bulge on the smooth surface of the thyroid. Thyroid nodules are common and occur in 40% of women and 30% of men during their lifetime. Many people are unaware of having thyroid nodules. Some people need thyroid nodule surgery to treat these lumps or abnormal growths in the thyroid gland. Thyroid nodule surgery in almost all cases involves the removal of part or all of the thyroid gland
Do thyroid nodules with cancer need surgery?
Most thyroid nodules are benign, but some are cancerous. Thyroid cancer accounts for only about 5% (maximum 10-15%) of all thyroid nodules. Thyroid surgery is the mainstay of treatment for thyroid cancer. Thyroid surgery for cancerous thyroid nodules is often no different from thyroid nodule surgery for noncancerous thyroid growth. Proper thyroid nodule surgery with experienced and skilled hands is very important for the treatment of thyroid cancer.
Why do some benign (non-cancerous) nodules require surgery?
As mentioned above, thyroid nodules are common and occur in 40% of women and 30% of men during their lifetime. Most nodules are benign, but some of these nodules require thyroid nodule surgery. Thyroid nodules are often diagnosed as benign by needle biopsy during patient evaluation. Although these nodules are benign, almost all of them grow or enlarge over time. Therefore, nodule size is one of the reasons for benign thyroid nodule surgery. Any nodule that is 4 cm or larger should be surgically removed with a thyroid nodule. Thyroid surgery is also highly needed for nodules that have abnormal or suspicious cells on biopsy. This allows for definitive diagnosis and treatment.
Could the number of nodules be one of the reasons for the need for surgery?
Multiple thyroid nodules, especially when part of the thyroid is enlarged (goiter), may require surgery. Even if a nodule or 2-3 nodules are benign on a needle biopsy, an enlarged thyroid with multiple nodules (multicodular goiter) often requires thyroid nodule surgery for several reasons. First, monitoring and biopsy of more than 2-3 nodules is very difficult and impractical. Second, multiple thyroid nodules and goiters often eventually cause symptoms. Symptomatic thyroid nodules require thyroid nodule surgery. The most common sign or problem of multi-nodular goiter is the unpleasant aesthetic appearance of a large lump in the neck or symptoms caused by the actual size of the goiter. Symptoms of goiter size may include a lump in the throat, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, and even in severe cases, a change in voice or a very harsh voice. Finally, thyroid nodules or thyroid goiters that have grown under the clavicle and inside the thoracic cavity (fetal goiter) always require thyroid removal.
Is surgery the most definitive way to diagnose a nodule?
Most often, a needle biopsy is done before surgery to help diagnose the type of treatment. Patients should know that thyroid biopsy depends only on the people who perform it and the pathologists who evaluate the cells and that it is good and reliable. The results of a needle thyroid biopsy are classified according to the Bethesda system to report thyroid cytopathology for thyroid nodules. The diagnostic categories are as follows:
- Not diagnostic or satisfactory
- Benign
- Atypia of unknown significance (AUS) or follicular lesion of unknown significance (FLUS)
- Follicular neoplasm or suspected follicular neoplasm
- Suspected of malignancy
- Malignant
Is Thyroid Surgery Dangerous?
Thyroidectomy is generally a safe procedure. But like any other surgery, thyroidectomy carries a risk of complications. To avoid the side effects of anesthesia, you may need to abstain from eating and drinking for some time before surgery, and your doctor will give you specific instructions.
Eventually:
Thyroid nodules are very common. Thyroid nodule surgery, which involves removing half or all of the thyroid gland, is often necessary to diagnose and treat these nodules, especially when they are cancerous. Large nodules, multiple nodules with or without goiter (enlarged thyroid), and those that are unusual or suspicious often require thyroid nodule surgery. Even benign nodules may require surgery depending on the symptoms, growth or size, and specialized evaluation and treatment of thyroid nodules is very important.
References
https://www.thyroidcancer.com/blog/top-4-facts-about-thyroid-nodule-surgery
