The thyroid gland, a bow-tie shaped gland in the lower front neck, regulates the body's energy level, including pulse and blood pressure. Thyroid cancer is rare in the United States. When it occurs, usually the entire thyroid is surgically removed, which is called a thyroidectomy, reports MayoClinic.com. People with slow-growing thyroid cancers, may require less extensive surgery. Surgical after-effects occur less frequently if the operation is performed by an experienced specialist.
Effects During Surgery
Immediate risks of thyroid surgery for cancer include a major blood clot, which is called a hemotoma, and heavy bleeding, reports the American Cancer Surgery. Following surgery, the area around the neck incision can become infected.
Recovery
The recovery time following thyroid surgery varies, reports the National Cancer Institute, with many patients experiencing discomfort for several days after the procedure. Medication to relieve pain resolves this in most cases, although some patients may need to ask their doctor for a dosage adjustment after a few days.
Effects After Lobectomy
Surgeons perform a lobectomy--removal of one lobe of the thyroid plus the isthmus, a narrow band of tissue connecting the two lobes--in patients with slow-growing thyroid cancers that are unlikely to spread outside the gland itself, such as follicular and papillary types, reports the National Cancer Institute. These patients are given radioactive iodine to destroy any cancer cells that may be in the other lobe, which causes neck tenderness and nausea, reports the American Cancer Society. Also, patients may feel their mouth is dry or lose their sense of taste. In some cases, the salivary glands swell or feel sore.
Nerve or Muscle Damage
In a few cases, nearby muscles or nerves, such as the vocal cords, are damaged during surgery, reports the American Cancer Society. This is more likely in patients who have received a thyroidectomy.
Voice loss or hoarseness can occur. If the muscle is damaged, one of the patient's shoulders may be lower than the other, reports the National Cancer Institute.
Recommendations
Complications and injury are less likely if people with thyroid cancer choose an experienced surgeon, explains the American Cancer Society. Patients should be sure to get a second opinion before the procedure and should choose a specialist who has performed many operations.
