Why would I need thyroid surgery?

The thyroid is a small but vital butterfly-shaped gland that lies at the base of your neck. It produces hormones that regulate your heart rate, temperature, how fast you burn calories, and many other aspects of your metabolism.

Several conditions may require thyroid surgery, or thyroidectomy, including:

• Thyroid cancer: the most common reason for thyroidectomy
• Goiter: a noncancerous enlargement of the thyroid that may cause discomfort, difficulty breathing, or significant disfigurement
• Graves’ disease: an immune disorder that causes hyperthyroidism, when is not controlled by medidcation
• Thyroid nodules: may affect thyroid function or have characteristics suspicious for cancer

Depending on the reason for surgery, you may require a partial or total thyroidectomy.

What is a thyroid biopsy?

When you develop a thyroid nodule or lump, a biopsy can help determine whether the abnormal growth is cancerous. During the procedure, your surgeon uses a small, hollow needle to gather a tissue sample from the nodule, which is then sent to a lab for analysis. You may experience a small prick when the needle is inserted, but it is generally a painless and quick procedure that is  well tolerated.