Thyroid Nodule Treatment

The traditional method for treating thyroid nodules (benign tumors) is surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid gland. However, thyroid surgery carries certain risks and disadvantages. It leaves a permanent incision in the neck, often requiring lifelong medication, and there are risks associated with anesthesia. Applying all these risks to a benign nodule is incompatible with modern medicine and is a questionable approach.

Newer non-surgical treatment methods for treating thyroid nodules (benign tumors) (RF ablation, microwave ablation, laser ablation, alcohol ablation): These methods eliminate incisions and perform treatment through a single needle puncture. Percutaneous ablation methods are a very good alternative to surgery. In this method, various needles are inserted into the nodule under local anesthesia and ultrasound guidance, and the nodule is heated and destroyed with laser, radiofrequency, or microwave energy (thermal ablation).

The first method of choice for cystic (fluid-containing) nodules is treatment with alcohol injection (chemical ablation). With modern, painless, scalpel-free thyroid nodule treatment, patients can return to their normal lives within a few hours. Furthermore, non-surgical treatment eliminates the need for lifelong synthetic thyroid hormone. Please click to review new treatment options for thyroid nodules in detail.

For simple goiter without nodules, treatment involves replacing the missing thyroid hormone. If iodine is deficient, iodine is administered. If the thyroid gland has been damaged by an autoimmune disease, synthetic thyroid hormone is administered.

The classical treatment methods for nodular goiter include medication, surgery, and radioactive iodine.

Synthetic T4 hormone is administered as part of the drug treatment, and one-third of patients experience a shrinkage of the thyroid gland. Radioactive iodine therapy is much more noticeable, but this treatment involves high doses of radiation. Because all thyroid tissue is destroyed by radiation after radioactive iodine therapy, hypothyroidism will develop and you will need to take synthetic thyroid hormone for life.

Modern, non-surgical treatments can be used in the treatment of nodular goiter. These include percutaneous ablation and embolization.

The traditional treatment for thyroid cancer involves surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid. Radioactive iodine therapy can then be administered postoperatively to destroy any remaining cells. The radioactive iodine exposes the entire thyroid gland to intense radiation. After this treatment, the patient is kept in a lead-lined room for 2-3 days.