What does unilateral subtotal resection of thyroid cancer mean

Thyroid cancer is a common endocrine tumor in clinical practice. Once a patient is diagnosed with thyroid cancer, surgical treatment should be performed promptly. However, if the patient has unilateral thyroid cancer, surgical treatment should also be performed promptly. For patients with unilateral thyroid cancer, there are two situations: one is complete thyroidectomy on one side, and the other is complete thyroidectomy on both sides.

1. Complete thyroidectomy on one side: For complete thyroidectomy on one side, relevant preoperative examinations are required, such as blood routine, liver and kidney function, electrocardiogram, thyroid function test, etc., to clarify whether the patient has metastatic lymphadenopathy in the neck, whether the thyroid gland is invaded, and whether there is distant metastasis, etc.;

2. Bilateral thyroidectomy: If a malignant tumor is found through pathological biopsy after one side of the patient's thyroid gland is removed, or if the patient has other underlying diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, etc., then bilateral thyroidectomy is required.

Some patients may need to undergo postoperative radioactive iodine supplementation because of insufficient lymph node dissection or incomplete lymph node dissection due to bilateral total or subtotal thyroidectomy during surgery. Usually after total thyroidectomy, thyroid hormone may decrease. At this time, you need to take levothyroxine sodium tablets for a long time as prescribed by your doctor to maintain normal thyroid hormone levels in the body. If the patient has low thyroid hormone after surgery, it may lead to reduced body metabolism, physical fatigue, fear of cold and other symptoms. It is recommended that patients supplement thyroid hormone in time.

It is recommended that patients with thyroid cancer eat a light diet after surgery, and try to eat less spicy, cold, greasy and other irritating foods. They can eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, and drink more water to promote wound healing. In addition, patients should maintain a good attitude, avoid tension, anxiety and other negative emotions, and relieve their mood by listening to music, taking a walk and other ways.