If your thyroid gland is hyperactive, has gotten very large, or contains nodules, cysts, or other growths that are—or could be—cancerous, your doctor may propose surgery to remove part or all of it. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions by patients before undergoing surgical treatment of thyroid cancer in Kolkata.
Q1. How much of the thyroid is removed?
It all depends on why you are having surgery. If your thyroid is overactive (hyperthyroidism from Graves’ disease or a toxic multinodular goitre), or the entire gland is enlarged and causing symptoms (such as a feeling of pressure or difficulty speaking, breathing, or swallowing), the entire gland should be removed in a procedure called a total thyroidectomy.
Depending on your health condition, your doctor may propose removing all or half of your thyroid for the most common thyroid malignancy, which is normally low risk. If you have cancer that is intermediate- or high-risk, meaning it has progressed beyond the thyroid, your thyroid cancer doctor may suggest a total thyroidectomy.
Q2. What Kind of Thyroid Surgery Am I a Good Candidate For?
Thyroid surgery usually involves making an incision at the front of the neck. The size of the incision is determined by factors such as the size of your thyroid and if lymph nodes need to be removed.
You might be a candidate for minimal-access surgery if your thyroid isn’t too big and no lymph nodes are affected. “We use a tiny incision, which minimises the scar,” Dr. Suvadip Chakrabarti explained. The incision is made directly above the thyroid gland, making access to the gland simple for the surgical oncologist in Kolkata.
Q3. Is this treatment in accordance with current recommendations?
Professional organisations for medical specialisations, such as the Indian Thyroid Society (ITS), analyse the most recent research on a monthly basis and develop treatment guidelines to help patients achieve the greatest results. Dr. Chakrabarti is an experienced cancer surgeon who is aware of the latest guidelines.
Q4. Are there any Risks?
Surgical procedures carry the risk of complications such as bleeding and infection. Damage to your vocal cord nerves, which could cause hoarseness, and damage to your parathyroid glands, which are positioned behind and very close to your thyroid and regulate your body’s calcium levels, are all concerns associated with thyroid surgery.
Q5. Will I get a scar?
You will have a scar on your neck if you undergo minimal-access or open surgery. Your surgeon may be able to conceal the incision by placing it in a natural wrinkle. Your scar will be under your arm if your surgeon performs robot-assisted surgery through an incision in your armpit.
Scarring is determined by both the surgical technique used and your individual recovery process. There are methods for making a scar less apparent, says the best thyroid cancer doctor in Kolkata.