Thyroid cancer

Disease description

This is a malignant tumor that develops from the glandular epithelium of the thyroid gland. This type of cancer most often manifests as a nodule, usually detected during an ultrasound examination or palpation of the neck.

Symptoms that require seeking diagnosis and treatment:

• Enlargement (nodule) in the thyroid gland
• Change in voice
• Difficulty swallowing
• Enlargement of cervical lymph nodes
• Pain in the neck or ear due to tumor pressure on surrounding tissues and nerves
• Fatigue, weakness
• Weight changes

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis

To diagnose thyroid cancer, advanced examination methods are used, such as sonoelastography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and biopsy followed by cytological and histological analysis.

Treatment

Treatment methods include surgical tumor removal using minimally invasive technologies (laparoscopic and robotic surgeries), radioactive iodine therapy to destroy residual tumor cells, and targeted therapy aimed at blocking specific molecular mechanisms of tumor growth.

After thyroid removal, patients are often prescribed hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to maintain normal hormone levels in the body. It helps compensate for the loss of the natural thyroid function, supporting metabolic balance and preventing possible complications associated with thyroid hormone deficiency.

Innovations in leading global clinics

In addition to radioactive iodine therapy, the main treatment for thyroid cancer remains surgery. In advanced countries such as South Korea, surgeries are performed with the Da Vinci robotic system. This innovation allows complex surgical procedures to be carried out with higher precision and minimal incisions.

One innovative approach to robotic surgery was proposed by Korean surgeon Dr. Chung from Seoul. He suggested using an axillary approach to the thyroid gland, which avoids incisions on the neck. Access to the thyroid gland through the armpit significantly reduces aesthetic consequences for the patient.