by Carson-DeWitt R

Surgery is the main treatment for most thyroid cancers. The goal of surgery is to remove the cancer . It is also to keep as much thyroid tissue and function as possible.

Thyroid Surgery

A thyroidectomy is the removal of part or all of the thyroid. The amount of tissue removed depends on the size, location, and type of tumor.

Thyroidectomies can be done as:

  • Open—A cut is made along the neck. The thyroid gland and area around it will be visible.
  • Minimally invasive—Small cuts will be made around the thyroid. Small tools will be passed through the cuts in the neck. They can be used to see the area and remove tissue. This may not be an option for everyone. The doctor may also need to do open surgery if there are problems.

Types of thyroid surgery include:

  • Lobectomy—A lobe of the thyroid is removed. A lobectomy may be chosen if the tumor is small and just in 1 lobe.
  • Near-total thyroidectomy—Removal of nearly all of the thyroid gland. This option may be chosen if cancer is in both lobes but there is some healthy tissue left.
  • Total thyroidectomy—Removal of the entire thyroid gland. This option is used if cancer is widespread.

Medicine may be needed to replace the work of the thyroid. This may include daily thyroid hormone pills and vitamin D and calcium supplements.

Central Neck Dissection

Central neck dissection will include work on other tissue in the neck. It may be needed if cancer has spread beyond the thyroid. The lymph nodes are often involved at this point. The affected lymph nodes and other affected tissue are removed. Lymph tissue will be checked for cancer. This will show how many lymph nodes need to be removed.

Tracheotomy

Cancer growth and swelling can put pressure on the airway. This can make it hard to breathe. A tracheotomy may be needed. A hole is created through the neck below the thyroid. A tube is inserted through the hole. This allows air to move in and out of the lungs. It may be needed for a short time or left in permanently.

References

Anaplastic thyroid cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/anaplastic-thyroid-cancer. Accessed April 22, 2022.

Follicular thyroid cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/follicular-thyroid-cancer-21. Accessed April 22, 2022.

Medullary thyroid cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/medullary-thyroid-cancer. Accessed April 22, 2022.

Papillary thyroid cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/papillary-thyroid-cancer. Accessed April 22, 2022.

Surgery for thyroid cancer. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/thyroid-cancer/treating/surgery.html. Accessed April 22, 2022.

Thyroid cancer treatment. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/thyroid/patient/thyroid-treatment-pdq. Updated Accessed April 22, 2022.

Treatment option overview. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/thyroid/patient/thyroid-treatment-pdq#section/%5F67. Accessed April 22, 2022.

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