Thyroidectomy is the total or partial surgical removal (lobectomy) of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck. It produces hormones that control large parts of the metabolism.
There are several reasons why surgeons remove the thyroid: cancer, noncancerous enlargement (goiter), overactivity (hyperthyroidism).
In case of lobectomy the thyroid may function normally after surgery. In case of total removal, daily treatment with thyroid hormone is necessary to compensate for the natural function of the thyroid.
The clinical conditions that lead to the intervention are specifically:
- Thyroid cancer: is the most common reason for surgery
- Goiter: A large goiter can cause discomfort or make it difficult to breathe or swallow.
- Hyperthyroidism: in this case the gland produces an excessive quantity of the hormone thyroxine. Thyroidectomy may be an option if you have problems with antithyroid medications or if you do not want radioactive iodine therapy which are two other common treatments for hyperthyroidism.
- Suspicious thyroid nodules: Some thyroid nodules cannot be identified as cancerous or non-cancerous following needle biopsy. If there is a greater risk of cancer, a thyroidectomy may be in order.
Valentina Carlile - Osteopath expert in Osteopathy applied to voice and speech disorders since 2002. For information and reservations visit the page Contacts