Doctors discovered a 7x8x9 mm nodule in the left lobe of Loan’s thyroid during a routine health check-up. Dr. Pham Ngoc Minh Thuy, from the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at Tam Anh General Hospital TP HCM, reported that a fine-needle aspiration biopsy confirmed thyroid cancer.

Loan initially underwent a left thyroid lobectomy. However, a frozen biopsy, conducted during the surgery, revealed within 20 minutes that cancer cells had invaded beyond the thyroid tissue. Dr. Nguyen Hong Vinh, also from the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, highlighted the persistent risk of malignant cells. Consequently, the surgical team opted for a total thyroidectomy to thoroughly remove the tumor, significantly reduce recurrence risk, and preserve the laryngeal nerve and parathyroid glands. Post-operative pathology confirmed papillary thyroid cancer.

Surgical team operates on the patient. *Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital*

Three days post-surgery, Loan’s neck incision was dry, and she experienced no hoarseness. Doctors discharged her and scheduled her for regular follow-up appointments.

Thyroid cancer is a common disease, manageable with early detection. Risk factors include iodine deficiency, ionizing radiation exposure, obesity, genetics, and a family history of thyroid conditions.

Dr. Thuy advises high-risk individuals to undergo regular screenings every six months or annually. Thyroid ultrasound is a non-invasive method effective for early nodule detection. If an ultrasound reveals suspicious features, doctors will perform a fine-needle aspiration biopsy for cellular analysis.

Ngoc Chau

*Patient's name has been changed.