Indications for surgical treatment in benign thyroid disease

Abstract

The treatment of thyroid cancer involves surgery. However, treatment of benign thyroid disease is debatable. Goitre should be treated by surgery if malignancy is suspected and if there are compressive signs and symptoms. Similarly, true recurrence of goitre should be treated surgically in the case of suspected malignancy and in the case of compressive symptomatology. Thyroid nodules should also be treated surgically if there is suspicion of malignancy and if there are compressive signs and symptoms. Surgery for the treatment of Graves’ disease is indicated in the case of suspected malignancy within a thyroid nodule and in the presence of Graves’ ophthalmopathy. In conclusion, indications for surgical treatment in benign thyroid disease are the suspicion of malignancy, compressive signs and symptoms, and the presence of Graves’ ophthalmopathy in Graves’ disease.