Mei Li is from Indonesia. In 2006, she noticed swelling in her neck. After visiting a local hospital, tests indicated a “thyroid nodule,” and a biopsy result showed it was a “benign nodule,” not cancer.
She felt somewhat relieved. Since the nodule was small and there weren’t any significant symptoms at the time, she chose to monitor it regularly. However, the nodule grew larger each year, and her local hospital repeatedly recommended surgery to remove it. But Mei Li, without a second thought, rejected the idea.
“I have relatives and friends who underwent total thyroidectomy, and they became easily fatigued and had significantly reduced immunity,” Mei Li said, worried she would face the same situation. She avoided surgery for this reason.
Although the nodule was benign, if it grew too large, it could pressure surrounding organs. As Mei Li’s nodule grew bigger, she started experiencing discomfort when swallowing, coughing while drinking water, and other symptoms, which forced her to pay more attention to her condition.
She thought, surely there must be a way to avoid major surgery while preserving her thyroid function. In the end, she found a solution at Guangzhou Fuda Cancer Hospital.
Upon admission, Mei Li’s neck displayed a noticeable bulge. Ultrasound indicated that both sides of her thyroid had nodules classified as TI-RADS 4a, with sizes of 4×6cm (right side) and 2×5cm (left side). Given Mei Li’s situation, Dr. Xu Jiong Yuan, the head of the Medical Oncology Department, organized a multidisciplinary discussion. After evaluation, the expert team initially suggested surgical removal, but Mei Li still refused.
After several rounds of communication, the team, considering Mei Li’s age, the characteristics of her condition, and her preferences, decided to proceed with a treatment that balanced thyroid function preservation and overall aesthetic concerns. They chose to perform a left-side thyroid biopsy with intraoperative frozen section analysis and microwave ablation.
The entire treatment was guided by ultrasound. With B-ultrasound for precise localization, a fine needle was used to perform a biopsy on the left thyroid nodule, and the sample was sent for rapid intraoperative pathological examination, which showed no cancer cells.
Due to the size of the nodule, during the procedure, saline was injected between the thyroid and trachea, between the thyroid and left common carotid artery, and between the thyroid and esophagus, creating a water barrier to increase the gap between the nodule and surrounding tissues, protecting vital structures such as the trachea, esophagus, neck blood vessels, recurrent laryngeal nerve, and superior laryngeal nerve.
Next, microwave ablation was performed at 30W power. The position of the microwave probe was adjusted dynamically from bottom to top, from inside to outside, and from deep to shallow, until the ablation area covered the target region. The probe was then removed, gradually “disintegrating” Mei Li’s thyroid nodule.
“Now I feel much more comfortable!” Two days after the procedure, Mei Li noticed that all her previous discomforts had disappeared. The bulging area on her neck was visibly smaller. Furthermore, with microwave ablation being minimally invasive, the only mark left on her skin was a tiny needle hole, almost no visible scar. She no longer needed to find “special” clothes to cover her neck, and as someone who cares about her appearance, she was very satisfied!
Health Knowledge Corner
Not all thyroid nodules that grow over time turn into cancer. Most thyroid nodules are benign, and only a small percentage may become malignant. Although the long-term growth of thyroid nodules may indicate an increased risk of malignancy, not all thyroid nodules will turn cancerous.
When a thyroid nodule increases in size, doctors typically recommend further tests, such as fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy, to determine the nature of the nodule. If the biopsy results show malignancy, further treatment is generally required.
Microwave ablation for thyroid nodules and small cancers is an effective minimally invasive treatment. In recent years, it has gained widespread attention due to its numerous advantages. Unlike traditional surgery, microwave ablation is minimally invasive, offers quick recovery, and has a high safety profile, making it the first choice for many patients with benign thyroid tumors and small cancers.
Finally, Dr. Xu Jiong Yuan, head of the Medical Oncology Department at Guangzhou Fuda Cancer Hospital, reminds: If you experience unexplained neck discomfort, consider coming to the hospital for an ultrasound to check for thyroid tumors. Symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, palpitations, arrhythmia, heat intolerance, excessive sweating, and irritability may also indicate thyroid issues. To prevent further complications, it’s important to seek medical attention at a reputable hospital as soon as possible.
