My presented with no symptoms when an ultrasound at Benh vien Da khoa Tam Anh TP HCM revealed a thyroid nodule in the left lobe, classified as TIRADS 4, indicating a medium to high risk of malignancy. A fine-needle aspiration biopsy, guided by ultrasound, confirmed that My had papillary thyroid cancer.

Specialist doctor level two Do Tuong Huan, from the Breast-Head-Neck Surgery Department, stated that this type of cancer has an excellent prognosis if diagnosed and treated appropriately. The patient was scheduled for a left thyroid lobectomy and isthmusectomy to remove the cancerous lesion, reduce the risk of spread, and await post-operative pathology results to guide subsequent treatment.

The surgical team for My. Photo: Benh vien Da khoa Tam Anh

Dr. Huan noted that the thyroid nodule in the left lobe measured 18 mm, was firm, and had not invaded the capsule, which are favorable signs for conservative surgery. The doctor meticulously removed the left lobe and isthmus, while carefully preserving the parathyroid glands and the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

One day after surgery, My recovered quickly, her voice was normal, and she did not experience hand numbness, leading to a prompt discharge. The pathology results confirmed papillary thyroid cancer. Following surgery, the patient needs to take prescribed medication, can eat normally and engage in light physical activity. It is important to monitor for any abnormal signs such as significant swelling or pain in the surgical area, difficulty breathing, fever, numbness, or hand spasms, and to adhere to regular follow-up appointments.

Glocoban reported over 821,000 new cases of thyroid cancer globally and over 6,100 cases in Vietnam in 2022. According to Dr. Huan, thyroid cancer is increasingly affecting younger individuals and is often detected through ultrasound examinations. The doctor advises young people not to be complacent about any abnormalities in the neck area. Patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer should attend their scheduled follow-up appointments and monitor hormone levels after surgery.

Minh Tam

*Patient's name has been changed