In 2021 even the Academic Surgeons are Considering Thyroid RFA for thyroid nodules in stead of surgery.
Ralph Tufano, M.B.A., M.D.
His quote off the Johns Hopkins Website.
“A newer alternative that the doctor can use to treat benign nodules in an office setting is called radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Radiofrequency ablation uses a probe to access the benign nodule under ultrasound guidance, and then treats it with electrical current and heat that shrinks the nodule. It’s simple: Most people treated with RFA are back to their normal activities the next day with no problems.”
Dr.Guttler’s Comments
This reminds me of the prior battles endocrin0logists had with surgeons about the use of needle biopsies and ultrasound in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules. It took years for surgeons to admit that FNA and ultrasound had a major place in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules.
Finally in 2021 major academic surgeons like Dr.Turfano are recommending alternative treatment for nodules and some small thyroid cancers with RFA.
Progress is slow and old ways dye hard.Dr.Turfano is a leader in the field of thyroid surgery. His mention of thyroid RFA will help push local surgeons to begin to use thyroid RFA in their practice.
Bravo Ralph.
Thyroid RFA for nodules and small thyroid cancers is a our main work at Santa Monica
Thyroid Center since 2016.Training, Then teaching others to do thyroid RFA and finally in 2018 doing thyroid RFA on my patients.
Contact me at 310-393-8860 or thyroid.manager@thyroid.com.
Dr.G
Expertise
Benign Thyroid Disorders, Goiter, Graves’ Disease …read more
Research Interests
Optimizing outcomes in thyroid and parathyroid …read more
Suppose you go to your doctor for a check-up, and, as she’s feeling your neck, she notices a bump. Then, suppose she tells you there’s a nodule on your thyroid. Is it time to panic?
No, say experts at Johns Hopkins’ Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. Thyroid nodules — even the occasional cancerous ones — are treatable.
Here’s what you need to know about thyroid nodules and how concerned you should be if you develop one.
How common are thyroid nodules?
Thyroid nodules are very common, especially in the U.S. In fact, experts estimate that about half of Americans will have one by the time they’re 60 years old. Some are solid, and some are fluid-filled cysts. Others are mixed.
Because many thyroid nodules don’t have symptoms, people may not even know they’re there. In other cases, the nodules can get big enough to cause problems. But even larger thyroid nodules are treatable, sometimes even without surgery.
Are thyroid nodules cancer?
The vast majority — more than 95% — of thyroid nodules are benign (noncancerous). If concern arises about the possibility of cancer, the doctor may simply recommend monitoring the nodule over time to see if it grows.
Ultrasound can help evaluate a thyroid nodule and determine the need for biopsy. A thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy can collect samples of cells from the nodule, which, under a microscope, can provide your doctor with more information about the behavior of the nodule.
What’s the treatment for a thyroid nodule?
Even a benign growth on your thyroid gland can cause symptoms. If a thyroid nodule is causing voice or swallowing problems, your doctor may recommend treating it with surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid gland.
If the doctor recommends removal of your thyroid (thyroidectomy), you may not even have to worry about a scar on your neck. Some patients are good candidates for a scarless thyroid procedure, where the surgeon reaches the thyroid through an incision made on the inside of your lower lip.
A newer alternative that the doctor can use to treat benign nodules in an office setting is called radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Radiofrequency ablation uses a probe to access the benign nodule under ultrasound guidance, and then treats it with electrical current and heat that shrinks the nodule. It’s simple: Most people treated with RFA are back to their normal activities the next day with no problems.
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