"What are the Criteria for Half-Thyroidectomy in Thyroid Cancer?"

Update Date: 2024-09-13 Source: Network

Thyroid Cancer Hemithyroidectomy

Thyroid cancer hemithyroidectomy refers to a surgical procedure where the entire thyroid gland is removed without necessarily excising thyroid tissue, aiming to treat the disease. The criteria for this procedure primarily encompass two aspects: the scope of total thyroidectomy and the extent of lymph node dissection, which may vary among hospitals and surgeons.

Scope of Total Thyroidectomy

Thyroid cancer is a common malignancy in the head and neck region. In cases of extensive lesions, total thyroidectomy is performed to prevent tumor recurrence. This includes resection of all thyroid glands on both sides, lymph nodes in both cervical regions, pretracheal lymph nodes, and both recurrent laryngeal nerves. Partial thyroidectomy specifically targets the complete removal of the thyroid glands on both sides, while ensuring the integrity of surrounding structures such as the trachea, esophagus, and recurrent laryngeal nerves to maintain surgical safety.

Extent of Lymph Node Dissection

Post-thyroid cancer surgery, lymph node dissection is crucial to assess for metastasis. Complete removal of all lymph nodes within the dissection area is necessary for radical treatment. Although surgical practices vary among hospitals and surgeons, a thorough lymph node dissection is generally preferred. Limited dissection of only local lymph nodes may not achieve the goal of radical treatment.

Distant Metastasis

This refers to the presence of metastatic tumors in distant organs, such as the lungs, liver, or bones. Excision of metastatic lesions in these organs is essential to control disease progression and prevent further spread.

Pathological Results

Pathological examination serves as the gold standard for diagnosing thyroid cancer. Hemithyroidectomy may be considered for patients who meet pathological staging criteria and do not have tumor-related comorbidities. A pathological diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma often indicates a favorable prognosis for most patients post-surgery.