The difference between unilateral resection and total resection of thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer is a common endocrine tumor in clinical practice. Usually, unilateral resection or total resection can be selected according to the pathological type, lesion site, invasion range, etc. Patients are advised to choose the appropriate treatment method according to their own conditions.

1. Unilateral resection:

1. Excessive retention of thyroid tissue: To restore the size of the diseased gland to normal, bilateral thyroid glands can be retained, and total thyroidectomy can be performed;

2. Cervical lymph node metastasis: If only the cervical lymph nodes are metastatic and the primary lesion is the thyroid gland, total thyroidectomy and cervical lymph node clearance can be performed at the same time;

3. Metastasis outside the thyroid bed: If the cancer has only metastasized outside the thyroid bed and the primary lesion is the thyroid gland, bilateral total thyroidectomy can be performed, along with simultaneous clearance of the cervical lymph nodes.

2. Full cut:

1. Large primary lesion: Complete resection refers to the removal of both sides of the thyroid gland. Since thyroid cancer develops rapidly, it is necessary to consider removing the gland on the side with a larger primary lesion to reduce the metastasis of cancer cells to other organs;

2. Other situations: If the lesion has invaded the surrounding trachea, esophagus and other tissues, and surgery cannot remove all the lesions, surgery to completely remove both thyroid glands can be considered. However, since surgical treatment is risky, the doctor will determine whether a complete resection is needed based on the patient's specific situation.

Some patients may need radionuclide therapy, endocrine therapy, or external irradiation therapy after surgery. For patients with bilateral thyroid cancer, it is recommended to maintain a light diet after surgery and eat foods rich in high-quality protein, such as eggs and milk, to promote body recovery. At the same time, you should try to maintain a calm state of mind and avoid excessive anxiety and tension, which is conducive to body recovery.