Overview
Surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid gland due to cancer.
General Information
- Organ removed: Thyroid (part or total)
- Purpose: Treat thyroid cancer
- Duration: 1–2 hours
- Hospital stay: Outpatient or 1 night
- Anesthesia: General
- Recovery: 2–3 weeks
Why it’s done
- Thyroid cancer (papillary, follicular, etc.)
- Suspicious or growing nodules
Types of Surgery
- Lobectomy (half)
- Total Thyroidectomy
- May include lymph node removal
Before Surgery
- Stop certain meds
- Neck ultrasound or CT
- Plan for lifelong thyroid hormone if total removed