ALTERNATIVES TO SURGERY FOR THYROID NODULES
Thyroid Nodules are very commonly found in physical examination and in routine imaging. Although only a small fraction of these nodules are cancerous, yet about 50,000 to 100,000 thyroid surgeries are done annually in the United States for non-cancerous thyroid nodules. Most of these surgeries are done due mainly due to these two reasons, pressure effects of these nodules or overactive thyroid nodule requiring one lobe resection. Most of these patients who undergo one thyroid lobe resection do not need thyroid hormones, but about 20 % of these patients become permanently hypothyroid requiring thyroid hormone replacement after surgery. For overactive thyroid nodules, Radioactive iodine treatment is also an alternative. Radioactive iodine treatment may need to be repeated based on the size of the nodules. About 30 % of these patients requiring Radioactive Iodine treatment become hypothyroid according to a study.
Fortunately, there are now alternative techniques available in carefully selected patients that do not require surgery and chances of hypothyroidism after procedure is minimized significantly for overactive nodules.
These techniques are
1. Thyroid Laser Ablation. Performed under local anesthesia. This procedure is not as painful as Radiofrequency Ablation. Also, not suitable for predominantly Cystic Nodules.
2. Radiofrequency Ablation. This procedure requires conscious sedation in addition to local anesthesia in most patients. Volume reduction in nodule is slightly more than Laser Ablation. Also, not suitable for predominantly Cystic Nodules.
3. Ethanol Ablation of Thyroid Nodules: Suitable for predominantly Cystic Nodules.
Dr. Iftikhar Malik is one of the few endocrinologists in the United States, who is trained and performs all the above mentioned procedures. He has dedicated his career for the treatment of Thyroid and Parathyroid Disorders. His passion emerged when he developed thyroid issues in 2006 that led him to change his career and pursue Endocrine Specialization, with particular focus in thyroid and parathyroid disorders.
Dr. Malik’s team also includes a Board-Certified Endocrine Surgeon, Janeil Mitchell, MD, FACS. She have excellent metrics in regards to postoperative results, patient care, and takes patient's concern and safety very seriously. We as a team, manage very complex thyroid cancer patient in office. We work very closely with Radiation Oncology Department at ThedaCare Regional Cancer Center in Appleton to provide best collaborative care.
To learn more about us, please visit us at
https://foxvalleysurgical.com/physicians
NON SURGICAL OPTIONS FOR BENIGN THYROID NODULES
Laser Ablation
Radiofrequency Ablation
Ethanol Ablation