**Thyroid cancer surgery** Thyroid cancer is a common type of cancer that affects the thyroid gland located in the neck. There are different types of thyroid cancer. Surgery is one of the main methods of thyroid cancer treatment. However, according to the patient's condition and doctor's opinion, thyroid surgery may not be necessary. Next, we examine when thyroid cancer surgery is necessary. Also, what factors determine what treatment to prescribe. ### **When does thyroid cancer become dangerous?** **Thyroid cancer** starts in the cells of the thyroid gland. This gland produces hormones that regulate many body functions. When thyroid gland cells begin to grow uncontrollably, they can lead to tumor formation. While most thyroid nodules are benign, some of them can be malignant and cancerous. Thyroid cancer can become dangerous when it reaches advanced stages or spreads to other parts of the body. This risk depends on various factors, including the type of thyroid cancer, the stage of the disease and the individual characteristics of the patient. Advanced thyroid cancer can be dangerous due to aggressive tumor growth, limited treatment options, possibility of metastasis, recurrence and impact on quality of life. Regular monitoring, timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment are very important in reducing possible risks and achieving full recovery. ### **When is thyroid cancer surgery recommended?** Surgery is usually necessary to **treat thyroid cancer** and is known as the primary treatment for most types of thyroid cancer. Surgery is usually combined with other methods such as radioactive iodine treatment or external beam radiation therapy depending on the characteristics of the disease. Surgery is generally recommended in the following cases: - **When a thyroid biopsy confirms cancer:** If the biopsy shows the presence of cancer cells in the thyroid gland, surgery to remove the cancerous tissue is usually recommended. - **Suspicious nodule**: If a thyroid nodule looks suspicious based on imaging tests or a biopsy, surgery may be recommended to remove the nodule and test for cancer. - **Large thyroid nodules**: If the thyroid nodule is large and causes symptoms such as difficulty in swallowing or breathing, it may be recommended to remove the nodule and reduce the symptoms. **Recurrence of thyroid cancer**: If a person has previously had thyroid cancer and it has now recurred, surgery may be necessary to remove the cancerous tissue. - **high-risk signs of cancer**: If thyroid cancer shows high-risk characteristics such as aggressive behavior or spread to nearby lymph nodes, surgery is usually recommended to remove as much cancerous tissue as possible. **For a more accurate diagnosis**: In some cases, surgery may be recommended for diagnostic purposes, such as when a biopsy is inconclusive, or to confirm how far the cancer has spread. The type of surgery and its extent may vary depending on the size and location of the tumor, the type of thyroid cancer, the stage of the disease and the individual characteristics of the patient. The surgeon may perform a total thyroidectomy, which involves removing the entire thyroid gland. A partial thyroidectomy, which involves removing only part of the thyroid gland, may also be necessary, depending on the surgeon's opinion. In some cases, nearby lymph nodes may also be removed to prevent the cancer from spreading. ### **What are the different types of thyroid cancer surgery?** There are different types of surgery that may be done for thyroid cancer. The most common type is thyroidectomy, which involves removing all or part of the thyroid gland. A lymph node dissection may also be performed to remove cancerous lymph nodes in the neck. The extent of surgery depends on the size of the tumor and how it spreads outside the gland. The tumor may have involved both lobes of the thyroid gland or it may have spread outside the gland. In this situation, total thyroidectomy is recommended. If the cancer involves only one lobe of the gland and has not spread to the lymph nodes, a lobectomy may be performed. If a total thyroidectomy is performed, the person must use thyroid hormone medications for the rest of their lives. But if you have a lobectomy, you may not need thyroid hormone replacement. It should be noted that if there is a possibility that the person is at a high risk of cancer recurrence, radioactive iodine and **iodine therapy** may also be used after removing the thyroid gland. ### **What are the risks of thyroid cancer surgery?** As with any surgery, there are risks. These risks can include bleeding, infection, damage to the vocal cords or parathyroid glands, and in rare cases, damage to the nerves that control the larynx. However, when the surgery is performed by an experienced surgeon, these risks and thyroid surgery complications are usually minimized. By clicking on the link in the above line, you will get to know all the side effects of this surgery and how to minimize it. ### **What are the surgical alternatives for thyroid cancer treatment?** In some cases, surgery may not be necessary for thyroid cancer. If the rate of cancer growth is slow, it may be controlled with regular examinations, drug therapy, radiation therapy, radiotherapy, etc. As a result, it is necessary when a thyroid biopsy confirms that the thyroid nodule is cancerous or when the nodule is large enough to cause breathing or swallowing problems. The best thyroid cancer surgeon Performing thyroid surgery by an experienced and skilled surgeon helps to minimize **thyroid surgery complications**. Dr. Seyed Ahmad Fanai, thyroid and parathyroid surgeon, member of the American Thyroid Association (ATA), has more than 20 years of surgical experience and 5000 successful surgeries. He, who is known as the golden claw surgeon of the thyroid, performs surgeries with the most up-to-date technology in the world. Using a neurometer device in surgery prevents damage to the larynx and vocal nerves. Dr. Ahmad Fanai is the only surgeon who uses these devices during surgery. Before choosing a thyroid surgeon, be sure to click on the link below and watch Dr. Ahmed Fanai's video about this topic Tips for choosing **the best thyroid surgeon** Read more: **checkup guide after thyroid cancer surgery** **6 ways to accurately diagnose thyroid cancer**