ORevery year in Italy they are performed over 40,000 total thyroid removal surgeries, for 80 percent of the cases on women. Starting from these data, an information campaign was launched by theThyroid Nodule Therapies Associationon the possibility, in selected cases, of a non-destructive therapeutic approach for the treatment of nodular thyroid pathologies.
Thyroid: alternatives to removal
“It deals with of radiofrequency or laser ablation. Or of ultrasonic methods that have been introduced very recently and are applicable in limited areas: they are not adequate if there are large nodules» explains Marcello Bagnasco, president of theItalian Thyroid Association (AIT).
«It must be considered that thyroid nodules can often be left as they are, without intervening at all because they are absolutely harmless. In other cases, partial surgery is sufficientwhich allows the preservation of half of the thyroid.
With the total removal of the thyroid gland, the continuous intake of thyroid hormone is necessary. Instead, if you use radiofrequency, laser or ultrasound therapy, thyroid function is fully preserved. In selected cases where the treatment of thyroid nodules allows a minimally invasive approach, compared to surgery, the patient does not report any scars and does not have to undergo hospitalization. The intervention is outpatient, covered by the National Health Service. Recovery to daily activities is usually fast.
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