Surgical Associates of Corpus Christi
Surgery of the Thyroid and Parathyroid glands
Surgery of the thyroid gland is primarily reserved for the treatment of thyroid nodules.
The thyroid gland lies in the central portion of the neck and secrets thyroid hormone which regulates the body’s metabolism. Thyroid nodules are lumps in the gland that are detected either by physical exam or imaging studies. Most thyroid nodules are non-cancerous, but the incidence of thyroid cancer has been increasing over the past several years.
Thyroid cancer is a highly curable malignancy if treated appropriately. Thyroid cancer is typically treated with either partial or complete removal of the thyroid gland.
Thyroid surgery is also used in the treatment of abnormally enlarged glands, thyroid goiters. Thyroid surgery is also sometimes used in the treatment of over active thyroid glands, hyperthyroidism.
Surgery of the parathyroid glands is primarily used for the treatment of hyperparathyroidism. This is the overactive function of the parathyroid glands. Parathyroid glands secret parathyroid hormone which regulates the calcium level in the bloodstream. Abnormally elevated parathyroid hormone can elevate the blood calcium and lead to premature osteoporosis, kidney stones and severe fatigue. There are four parathyroid glands. Surgery is used to remove the hyper-functioning gland or glands. Malignancy of the parathyroid glands is extremely rare.
