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Treatment overview

Non-surgical Options

Not every thyroid problem requires surgery. Some patients may qualify for monitoring or a minimally invasive procedure after careful evaluation by an experienced physician.

Available approaches

Compare monitoring and minimally invasive treatment.

The appropriate option depends on the diagnosis, imaging, symptoms, medical history, treatment goals, and the experience of the treating team.

Radio­fre­quency ablation

A minimally invasive approach used for selected benign thyroid nodules.

Read the patient guide

Ethanol ablation

An ultrasound-guided treatment used for selected benign thyroid cysts that return after drainage.

Read the patient guide

Active sur­veil­lance

Careful monitoring that may be appropriate for selected low-risk thyroid cancers.

Read the patient guide

Before treatment

Evaluation comes first.

A treatment page cannot determine whether an option fits a particular person. Start with the diagnosis and the tests that describe the thyroid problem.

Thyroid Nodules

Understand how nodules are evaluated before monitoring or treatment is considered.

Read the condition guide

Testing and Diag­nosis

See how blood tests, ultrasound, biopsy, and other tests may fit into thyroid evaluation.

Explore testing