Modern Developments in Thyroid Cancer Surgery
Thyroid cancer is one of the most common malignancies of the endocrine system. Although the diagnosis of the word “cancer” causes reasonable concern, in the vast majority of cases it is a disease with a very good prognosis, especially when diagnosed early and treated correctly by a specialized team.
The main types of thyroid cancer
There are three main forms of thyroid cancer. The most common, at approximately 90%, is well-differentiated carcinoma, which includes papillary and follicular carcinoma. These are forms with extremely high cure rates.
Medullary carcinoma accounts for approximately 8% of cases and requires more specialized treatment.
The rarest but most aggressive form is undifferentiated or anaplastic carcinoma, which affects approximately 2% of cases.
How aggressive is the disease?
The aggressiveness depends on the histological type. Well-differentiated carcinoma has a five-year survival rate of approximately 97%, which means that with proper treatment, a complete cure can be achieved.
Medullary carcinoma has lower but satisfactory survival rates, while anaplastic carcinoma is characterized by very aggressive behavior and requires immediate and complex treatment.
The importance of early diagnosis
In most cases, the first suspicion arises after an ultrasound of the thyroid or neck, often incidentally. If a suspicious nodule is detected, a fine needle aspiration (FNA) is performed to obtain cells for cytological examination.
At the same time, ultrasound examination of the cervical lymph nodes is necessary, as thyroid cancer can metastasize mainly to the lymph nodes of the neck.
Correct preoperative diagnosis by an experienced radiologist and endocrinologist is a decisive step for therapeutic success.
Surgical treatment remains the cornerstone
The main treatment for thyroid cancer is surgery. In most cases, a total thyroidectomy is performed, i.e. removal of the entire gland.
It is often accompanied by lymph node dissection of the central neck, while when there are signs of metastases, lateral lymph nodes are also removed.
Even more advanced cases, where there is infiltration in neighboring structures such as the trachea or esophagus, can in many cases be treated surgically with the cooperation of different specialties.
How modern technology helps
Technology has significantly changed thyroid surgery, increasing both the safety and radicality of the operation.
With the use of robotic systems, thyroidectomy is performed with absolute precision and without leaving visible marks on the patient’s neck, while at the same time ensuring multiple benefits such as fewer complications and a shorter recovery.
With modern hemostasis tools, bleeding is limited and the precision of the manipulations is improved.
Neurostimulation allows the identification and protection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which controls the vocal cords.
At the same time, autofluorescence technology helps to identify the parathyroid glands, reducing the risk of postoperative hypocalcemia.
All of the above contribute to improving the surgical outcome and reducing complications.
Is there a risk of recurrence?
The possibility of recurrence is mainly related to the completeness of the first operation. A properly planned and completed operation constitutes approximately 95% of the treatment.
For this reason, the operation must be performed by a specialized endocrine surgeon with experience in cervical and thyroid surgery.
Patient recovery
In the vast majority of cases, recovery is rapid. The patient is mobilized from the next day and soon returns to his daily activities.
Hospitalization usually lasts one day in simple operations, while more extensive operations may require two to three days.
For patients from abroad, the total stay in Greece usually ranges from three to six days, depending on the extent of the operation and the course of recovery.
The message to patients
Thyroid cancer is a disease that, when treated correctly and promptly, has very high cure rates. Correct diagnosis, the experience of the surgeon and the use of modern technology are the key factors that lead to the best possible outcome.
