Conditions that would require a biopsy, removal, partial removal of the thyroid

August 2, 2009

The thyroid gland in the human body is a small unassuming bow shaped gland present below the larynx in our neck. It is essentially a part of the endocrine system in our body. Most of the medical conditions related to the thyroid are due to a goitre or an enlarged thyroid gland.

This usually leads a patient to surgery. Now, the kind of operation that is performed solely depends on 2 basic reasons. The anatomy of the thyroid gland decides the nature of the operation along with what exactly is the disease that is causing this condition of the thyroid.

There are a bunch of conditions that will decide if you require a biopsy, a partial or complete removal of the thyroid gland. They are as listed below:

Hypothyroidism: It is the condition caused due to reduced secretion of the thyroid hormone. One of the forms of hypothyroidism seen in infants is termed as Cretinism. This health condition leads to stunted growth and deformations in infants. A worldwide cause of this disease is iodine deficiency. This is usually due to lack of thyroid gland or the low secretions of this hormone in an individual.
Hyperthyroidism: As opposed to hypothyroidism, this health condition is caused mainly due to over secretion of the thyroid hormone. This leads to free circulation of hormones like thyroxine and triiodothyronine. The thyroid hormone essentially stimulates the metabolism and is required for normal functioning of the human body. While found in excess, these hormones will over stimulate the metabolism and increase its effects many fold, the end result being weight loss, anxiety symptoms and increased heart beat rate.
Thyroid Neoplasm or Thyroid cancer: There are 4 types of malignant cancers of the thyroid that are termed as thyroid neoplasm. These 4 types are: medullary, papillary, anaplastic and follicular. These occur in women than in men. The most common type is papillary and follicular. These are not fatal but may recur in patients who are under 45 years of age. Anaplastic tumors are the ones that grow really fast and moreover they do not respond well to therapy.
Noncancerous thyroid nodules that cause breathing or swallowing problems: In case the thyroid nodules are noncancerous, they still pose a problem as they may create difficulties while breathing and swallowing. The doctor you consult will observe the nodule carefully in this condition and a thyroid biopsy can cure this condition more often than not.

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