Is surgery necessary for thyroid tumors?

Whether surgery is needed depends on the nature of the thyroid tumor. Benign tumors do not necessarily require surgery, but malignant tumors or risky conditions usually require intervention.

Thyroid tumors are masses formed by abnormal proliferation of thyroid tissue. Most of them are benign, but a certain percentage may be malignant. Doctors usually use ultrasound examinations, blood tests (such as thyroid function tests), puncture biopsies, etc. to determine the nature of the tumor. Benign tumors usually grow slowly and have little impact on the body, while malignant tumors may spread and affect health and life safety.

If the tumor is benign and has no obvious symptoms, such as not compressing surrounding organs or causing thyroid dysfunction, regular observation can be chosen without immediate surgery. However, if the tumor is accompanied by discomfort such as difficulty swallowing or breathing, grows rapidly, or has the potential to be malignant, surgery is usually necessary.

For cases with a clear diagnosis, be sure to strictly follow the doctor's advice. If the doctor recommends long-term observation, remember to have a follow-up examination every 3-6 months. If the tumor is judged to be malignant or there are suspicious changes, please undergo surgery in time to avoid the disease from spreading.