Why do I need thyroid surgery?

The main thyroid conditions which are indications for surgery are:

  • Cancerous and non-cancerous (benign) nodules
  • Enlarged thyroid glands (goiters)
  • Hyperthyroidism/overactive thyroid gland (Grave’s disease)

A thyroid nodule is an abnormal growth of thyroid cells forming a lump inside the thyroid gland.

The most common reason for thyroid surgery is to remove a thyroid nodule which is either cancerous or suspicious to be cancerous. Benign nodules are usually followed-up. However, sometimes they may grow extensively in size and cause compression symptoms, thus they need to be removed.