Treatment of a Problem
Once a diagnosis has been made, a treatment plan will be proposed either by your doctor, or the VM Med MTC doctor, based on the examination and your test results.
Treatment of your thyroid nodule
Most thyroid "lumps" are benign. Indications for surgery include a large thyroid nodule (“goiter”), an overactive nodule/ thyroid or thyroid cancer. There are a significant number of unnecessary thyroid surgeries performed every year in Canada putting patients at risk of complications. Other minimally invasive non-surgical procedures, available at VM Med can be used to successfully treat benign and overactive thyroid nodules including Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA). VM Med is proud to be the first clinic in Quebec to offer RFA as a treatment. You can find out more about this procedure below. Should you have any questions about RFA or any other non-invasive treatment of thyroid nodules, ask your VM Med Thyroid specialist.
What is thyroid surgery?
Thyroid surgery is an operation to remove part or all of the thyroid gland. It is limited to those patients who have potential problems based on pre-op tests. It is usually performed under general anesthesia. Usually, the operation removes the lobe of the thyroid gland containing the "lump", and the isthmus. The pathology assessment, both before and during the operation, will help determine if all of the thyroid gland should be removed. Sometimes, based on the operative findings, the surgeon may decide to stop and remove no more thyroid tissue, or proceed to remove the entire thyroid gland, and/or other tissue in the neck. This is a decision usually made in the operating room by the surgeon based on findings both and at the time of surgery. These options will be discussed by your surgeon with you preoperatively.
After surgery you may have a drain (a tiny piece) of plastic tubing inserted in the wound. This is removed if the fluid accumulation is minimal. However, most patients do not need a drain. Depending on your overall health status and the extent of the thyroid surgery, patients are discharged the day of surgery or one day after surgery.
Complications of thyroid surgery are rare. They include bleeding, a hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing, numbness of the skin on the neck, and low blood calcium. Most complications go away after a few weeks. Patients who have the entire thyroid gland removed have a higher risk of low blood calcium post-operatively.
Patients who have thyroid surgery may be required to take thyroid medication to replace thyroid hormones after surgery. Some patients may need to take a calcium supplement if their blood calcium is low. This will depend on how much thyroid gland remains, and what was found during surgery. In some cases where a malignant tumor is found, radioactive iodine therapy might be recommended after surgery. If you have any questions about thyroid surgery, ask your referring or VM Med doctor and he/she will answer them in detail.
What is Radio Frequency Ablation?
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive medical procedure that uses heat generated by high-frequency electrical currents to treat certain conditions, including thyroid nodules that cause discomfort, compression of nearby structures, or produce excessive thyroid hormone. It is generally recommended when nodules are symptomatic, causing swallowing or breathing difficulties, or when traditional treatment approaches (such as medication) have not been effective.
RFA has been found to:
- Be minimally invasive, as it is performed through the skin, avoiding the need for open surgery and related risks,
- Have a short recovery time as patients usually resume normal activities within a few days,
- Reduce symptoms, alleviating discomfort, improve breathing, and swallowing,
- Have a high success rate with nodule size reduction and symptom improvement commonly achieved.
Risks include:
- Pain at the treatment site which is usually temporary,
- Voice changes in rare cases, as RFA may affect the vocal cords,
- Nodule regrowth,
- Skin burns in rare cases.
Should your VM Med Thyroid Specialist or your referring doctor recommend RFA, you can expect the following:
Before your RFA – you might be advised to avoid certain medications, fasting, or complete other preparations that will be explained to you in detail.
During your RFA – Your doctor will
- Administer local anesthesia to the treatment area to minimize discomfort.
- Insert a needle insertion into the nodule using ultrasound imaging.
- Use the needle to emit Radiofrequency energy (controlled heat) to destroy the nodule's tissue.
- Monitor the procedure in real-time using ultrasound.
After your RFA you may experience some discomfort or pain, which could be managed with pain medication as directed by your doctor. Most patients can resume normal activities within a few days, and regular follow-up appointments and imaging may be recommended to monitor your progress and ensure the nodule's response to treatment.
You can expect your VM Med Thyroid Specialist to discuss your specific case and any concerns you may have with you prior to deciding on a specific course of action. Our team will provide personalized guidance and help you make an informed decision about whether RFA is the right option for you.
What is head and neck and endocrine surgery?
Head and neck surgery is an activity concerned with medical and surgical treatment of head and neck related structures. It encompasses surgery of benign and malignant tumors of the head and neck, endoscopic examination of air and food passages and treatment of sinus, oral, throat, laryngeal, thyroid, parathyroid and esophageal disorders.
To qualify Head and Neck Surgery, a physician must complete at least five years of post-M.D. specialty training. The VM Med Thyroid Clinic uses a computerized medical data system to study all aspects of thyroid disorders.
Make an Appointment
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Why is VM Med
the right choice?
Opting for healthcare services at our private clinic ensures patients receive excellent and timely care with a specialist. Comprehensive exams, including the consultation, ultrasound and biopsy (if needed) are conducted onsite, and results are provided within 72 hours.
