Is surgery necessary for thyroid tumors?

Whether a thyroid tumor requires surgery depends on the nature, size, and symptoms of the tumor. For benign, asymptomatic, and stable thyroid tumors, observation and follow-up can be chosen; however, if the tumor has a risk of malignancy, grows rapidly, or compresses surrounding tissues, surgical treatment is required. The specific situation needs to be determined after the doctor's evaluation.

1) What is thyroid tumor and its main classification

Thyroid tumors are lesions formed by abnormal proliferation of thyroid cells, and are mainly divided into two categories: benign tumors and malignant tumors. Among them, benign tumors are the most common, such as thyroid adenoma, which usually have no obvious symptoms and develop slowly; malignant tumors such as thyroid cancer require high attention. Although some tumors are benign, they may affect normal life due to factors such as location and size.

2) In what situations does surgery require?

Surgery is suitable for the following situations:

① The tumor is malignant or suspected to be malignant: If ultrasound examination reveals that the tumor has irregular borders, calcification points and other characteristics, surgical resection is required as soon as possible to avoid metastasis.

② The tumor grows rapidly or compression symptoms appear: such as difficulty swallowing and breathing problems. Surgery can effectively alleviate these problems.

③Affecting thyroid function: If the tumor causes hyperthyroidism (toxic adenoma), surgery is required to restore normal thyroid function.

3) Treatment when surgery is not required

If the tumor is small and benign and asymptomatic, the following nonsurgical management options are available:

①Regular follow-up: Perform ultrasound examination every 3 to 6 months to observe whether the tumor changes.

②Drug treatment: Low-dose thyroxine drugs can help inhibit the further growth of some benign tumors, but you need to follow the doctor's advice.

③Minimally invasive treatment: Some patients can choose ablation treatment (such as radiofrequency ablation), which can reduce damage to normal thyroid tissue.

4) What should I pay attention to after the operation?

If surgery is necessary, attention should be paid to postoperative recovery:

①Prevent infection and pay attention to incision care;

② Closely monitor thyroid function; some patients may require lifelong thyroid hormone replacement therapy;

③ A balanced diet supplemented with protein and trace elements such as iodine will help wound healing and restore thyroid function.

Whether a thyroid tumor requires surgery should be determined based on the nature of the tumor and individual circumstances, and should be based on a doctor's assessment. If there are risk factors, surgery should be actively undertaken; for asymptomatic benign tumors, regular checkups and drug monitoring can be used to maintain health and provide precise treatment.