What does unilateral lobectomy for thyroid cancer mean

Unilateral lobectomy for thyroid cancer usually refers to total thyroidectomy on one side, i.e. unilateral lobectomy of the thyroid gland. This surgery is mainly used to treat thyroid cancers such as papillary thyroid cancer and follicular cancer, and is a radical surgery.

1. Indications: For patients diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma, if the tumor is small and there is no lymph node metastasis, unilateral thyroid lobectomy can be performed. In addition, for patients diagnosed with follicular carcinoma, if the tumor is large and there is lymph node metastasis, unilateral thyroid lobectomy can also be performed;

2. Contraindications: If the patient has severe heart disease or lung disease, unilateral thyroid lobectomy is not recommended. This is because such patients may experience dyspnea after surgery, which may worsen their condition. If the patient has severe coagulation dysfunction, this surgery is also not recommended.

3. Note: Since the thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck, the patient's appearance may be affected after a unilateral thyroid lobectomy. You need to communicate with your doctor in detail before the operation and choose the appropriate surgical method. In addition, after the operation, you need to keep the wound clean and avoid getting it wet to avoid infection. At the same time, you also need to eat protein-rich foods, such as eggs, milk, etc., which will help promote physical recovery.