 |
|  |
|
|
 |
|
 |
Thyroid Nodules and Thyroid Cancer
BACKGROUND: The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in front of the windpipe, low in the neck.
- Thyroid lumps (nodules) are very common.
- 1 in 3 adult females has a thyroid nodule.
- 1 out of 20 people with thyroid nodules have thyroid cancer.
- The only way to be sure that your thyroid nodule is not cancerous is to see an endocrinologist or an endocrine surgeon.
- The best test to determine the true nature of a thyroid nodule is a fine needle aspiration biopsy with ultrasound guidance (FNAB).
- FNAB is generally performed if the thyroid nodule is larger than ½ inch or 10 mm in size.
- Endocrinologists who specialize in thyroid disease can perform this test in their offices.
- Dr. Harrell, of Ft. Lauderdale Endocrine Surgery, has performed over 5,000 ultrasound-guided thyroid biopsies since 1991.
- If a diagnosis of cancer is confirmed then specialized thyroid surgery will be necessary.
- Standard thyroid removal (as performed for benign conditions such as goiter) is inadequate and may leave cancer behind in the surrounding lymph nodes.
- Thyroid cancer surgery requires careful excision of the thyroid gland as well delicate removal of nearby lymph nodes (without injuring the nerves which control vocal cord function or the parathyroid glands which regulate blood calcium levels).
- Your surgery should be performed by a Endocrine Oncology Surgeon who is trained in thyroid cancer surgery. Such a sub-specialization requires 7-8 years of surgical training after medical school. See Dr. Bimston’s curriculum vita.
- The need for lymph node removal should be discussed pre-operatively with your endocrinologist and endocrine surgeon.
- Thyroid cancer is usually curable with meticulous surgery and post-operative radioactive iodine therapy (given by mouth).
- Drs. Harrell and Bimston, of Ft. Lauderdale Endocrine Surgery, have successfully diagnosed and treated hundreds of patients with thyroid cancer.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|