Should thyroid cancer be completely removed?

Whether or not thyroid cancer requires total resection should be determined based on the pathological type and stage of thyroid cancer and the patient's physical condition. If the thyroid cancer is papillary or follicular and there is no lymph node metastasis, it is usually possible to consider not removing the thyroid gland, but regular thyroid ultrasound and thyroid function tests are required.

1. Papillary carcinoma: Papillary carcinoma is the most common thyroid cancer, accounting for about 75% of all thyroid cancers. It is generally a differentiated thyroid cancer with a low degree of malignancy. For early papillary carcinoma, if there is no lymph node metastasis, it is possible to consider not removing the thyroid gland and use levothyroxine sodium tablets for treatment as prescribed by the doctor;

2. Follicular carcinoma: Follicular carcinoma is also a type of differentiated thyroid cancer, accounting for about 10%-15% of all thyroid cancers. Since follicular carcinoma grows slowly and has clear boundaries, the recurrence rate after surgery is relatively low. For early follicular carcinoma, if there is no lymph node metastasis, it is also possible to consider not removing the thyroid gland and use levothyroxine sodium tablets for treatment as prescribed by the doctor;

3. Medullary carcinoma: Medullary carcinoma accounts for 5%-10% of all thyroid cancers and is a moderately malignant tumor. Since medullary carcinoma is not sensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, surgical resection is the main treatment method. If the patient's condition allows, a complete resection is recommended;

4. Undifferentiated carcinoma: Undifferentiated carcinoma accounts for 5% of all thyroid cancers and is a highly malignant tumor. Since undifferentiated carcinoma is not sensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, surgical resection is the main treatment method. If the patient's condition allows, a complete resection is recommended.

In addition to the above situations, for advanced papillary thyroid microinvasive carcinoma or follicular microinvasive carcinoma, auxiliary treatment is also required with the doctor after surgery.