Does thyroid tumor need to be removed?

Thyroid tumors do not necessarily need to be removed. Whether to remove them needs to be comprehensively evaluated based on the nature of the tumor (benign or malignant), size, symptoms, and impact on life and health. Diagnosis and treatment methods include imaging examinations, puncture biopsy, etc. to determine the direction of treatment. You can choose observation and follow-up, drug treatment, or surgical removal.

1. Analysis of thyroid tumor types

There are two types of thyroid tumors: benign and malignant.

- Benign thyroid tumors usually grow slowly, are small in size, rarely cause compression symptoms, and are less likely to become malignant. Such tumors do not necessarily require surgical removal. Doctors will often recommend regular follow-up visits to monitor changes in tumor size and properties through B-ultrasound or fine needle aspiration biopsy.

-Malignant thyroid tumors include papillary carcinoma, follicular carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, etc. Malignant tumors generally grow faster and may be accompanied by swollen lymph nodes in the neck. They require early diagnosis and surgical resection.

2. Side Effects and Symptoms Assessment

For those thyroid tumors that are benign but have large size, special location, and obvious compression of the trachea or esophagus, causing difficulty in swallowing and breathing, surgery may be needed to solve the compression problem. If the tumor causes hyperthyroidism (such as toxic adenoma), it may be accompanied by symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, and weight loss. In addition to drug control, it should also be evaluated whether it needs to be removed.

3. Choose the appropriate treatment

(1) Observation and follow-up:

For small, asymptomatic, benign thyroid tumors, most doctors will recommend not performing surgery for the time being, but instead observing the tumor for changes through regular checkups (thyroid ultrasound or functional testing every 6-12 months), and taking appropriate lifestyle interventions, such as controlling iodine intake to stabilize tumor growth.

(2) Drug treatment:

Patients with hyperthyroidism caused by toxic thyroid adenoma can take antithyroid drugs (such as methimazole and propylthiouracil) to improve the abnormal thyroid function.

Some patients can receive radioactive iodine therapy to relieve symptoms by reducing thyroid tissue activity. This is suitable for patients who are not suitable for surgery, but they need to consult a specialist to weigh the pros and cons.

(3) Surgical resection:

Surgery is the first choice for thyroid tumors that are malignant, suspected of malignancy, or have obvious compression symptoms. Surgical methods include:

-Partial thyroidectomy: Suitable for benign but highly compressive lesions to preserve thyroid function as much as possible.

-Total thyroidectomy: Suitable for malignant tumors or multiple, recurrent lesions, but lifelong thyroid hormone replacement therapy is required after surgery.

-Minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation: It provides a minimally invasive treatment option for some patients with benign thyroid tumors, with less trauma and faster recovery.

4. Postoperative follow-up and life advice

Regardless of whether or not you undergo surgery, you need to pay attention to postoperative follow-up. Patients who undergo surgery should regularly review their thyroid function indicators and adjust their medication dosages as directed by their doctors; patients with benign tumors also need to monitor the risk of tumor enlargement or malignant transformation. In terms of diet, it is recommended to avoid large amounts of high-iodine foods (such as kelp, seaweed, etc.) and maintain an appropriate amount of iodine intake.

Whether or not to remove a thyroid tumor depends on the nature of the lesion, symptoms, and impact on health. Regular physical examinations and listening to doctors' advice are key. Do not jump to conclusions or delay diagnosis and treatment.