Function Integrity of Neck Anatomy in Thyroid Surgery
This study examines whether patients with low-risk thyroid cancer on one side of the thyroid and benign (non-cancerous) nodules on the other side need to have their entire thyroid removed, or if removing just the affected lobe is sufficient. Researchers are investigating whether keeping the healthy portion of the thyroid helps preserve its normal function while still treating the cancer effectively.
Key Objective: This trial tests whether partial thyroid removal (lobectomy) can effectively treat low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma while preserving thyroid function and avoiding the need for lifelong thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
Who to Consider: Patients diagnosed with low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma affecting one lobe with benign or non-suspicious nodules on the other side should consider enrolling.
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
Recent trends in the management of patients with low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma who have a nonsuspicious or cytologically benign contralateral nodule call into question the need for routine total thyroidectomy. Although the lobectomy for the unilateral thyroid cancer with contralateral benign nodules is sufficient treatment, some of the patients might suffer from the anxiety of the residual benign thyroid nodule and tend to choose total thyroidectomy, which might be overtreatment. Thermal ablation has been proven to be effective in achieving nodule shrinkage and being also free from major complications. In our institution, intraoperative RFA was a proposed alternative strategy to treat the contralateral benign nodules after the thyroid lobectomy for the malignant lobe, which was found to have a better quality of life on anxiety, physiological health, social family, psychological and sensory mentions with a considerable complication rate.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients diagnosed with unilateral thyroid carcinoma and contralateral benign nodule confirmed by preoperative ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology; * Patients with contralateral nodules ≤ 20mm and located in the thyroid gland; * Patients with clinical node-negative cervical compartment at palpation and neck ultrasound. Exclusion Criteria: * Previous history of neck surgery * Previous history of neck radiation therapy