Both a hemithyroidectomy and total thyroidectomy are surgical interventions for people with low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer. Prior studies suggest that survival rates following these surgeries are relatively equal for these two surgeries. But a new question has emerged: does one option provide better quality-of-life (QOL) following surgery and recovery?
Michael Monostra, in Healio, describes a November 2023 study that explored QOL after a hemithyroidectomy as opposed to a total thyroidectomy. The “ahead-of-print” study, published in Thyroid, sourced data from 16 studies before performing a systemic review on the data. 11 studies involved retrospective cohorts, with the remaining five involving prospective cohorts. Altogether, the systemic review encompassed data from 4,957 participants.
After exploring the study data, the researchers determined that no studies found that a total thyroidectomy contributed to a better quality-of-life than a hemithyroidectomy. While two studies found that a total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection improved QOL over a total thyroidectomy by itself, another two studies found that this reduced QOL. 37.5% of studies showed improved QOL with a hemithyroidectomy. Some studies found that there were no QOL differences between any of the procedures. The studies also showed that a hemithyroidectomy could improve emotional and physical health, mental health, and overall vitality.
Ultimately, the information differs across studies and findings. However, this data does show some potential for hemithyroidectomies to confer positive benefits for those with thyroid cancer. If you have thyroid cancer, please speak with your doctor about the best course of treatment for you.
About Thyroid Cancer
Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits at the base of the throat. Part of the endocrine system, the thyroid creates hormones that play a role in managing blood pressure, weight, temperature, and heart rate. Thyroid cancer occurs when cancer forms in the thyroid. Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common subtype, but there are also rare forms such as follicular, medullary, or anaplastic thyroid cancer. This cancer occurs 3x more often in women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB). While it is most commonly diagnosed over age 40, it can occur at other ages. If you’ve had high radiation exposure, your risk of this cancer may increase. Symptoms of thyroid cancer may include hoarseness or other vocal changes, difficulty swallowing and/or breathing, a lump in the neck, neck and/or throat pain and swelling, swollen lymph nodes, and a chronic cough.
