6.2.4: 4. How to Manage a Thyroid Nodule After FNAC and/or Ultrasound
- Page ID
- 18295
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- The majority of thyroid nodules are benign and do not require surgery
- Not all thyroid cancers require surgery
- Most thyroid malignancies are indolent, slow growing papillary carcinomas which may be diagnosed on FNA
- With follicular neoplasms, FNAC cannot distinguish benign (adenomas) and malignant (follicular or Hürthle cell carcinomas) as the latter two require histological evidence of vascular or capsular invasion
- Some differentiated thyroid cancers may be observed with follow-up
- Objectives of management
- Avoid unnecessary surgery
- Do appropriate surgery
- Avoid doing harm e.g. causing hypocalcaemia and/or hypothyroidism in patients without access to monitoring and replacement therapy