Thyroid cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in Vietnam, recognized by the Global Cancer Organization (Globocan). Two colleagues, Mr. Thuan and Mr. Hai, both work at the same company and undergo regular health checks to maintain their well-being. During a routine check-up, they were diagnosed with thyroid cancer at an early stage.
Their ultrasound results revealed that Mr. Thuan had a multinodular goiter in two lobes, with nodules close to the isthmus in the left thyroid lobe, assessed at TIRADS level 5, indicating a high risk of malignancy. On the other hand, Mr. Hai had multiple tumors in his thyroid gland, ranging from TIRADS 2 to TIRADS 5, with TIRADS 4 nodules in the thyroid isthmus. Both men were diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer by Dr. Huynh Ba Tan and advised to undergo surgery to remove their entire thyroid gland to prevent the cancer from spreading to neighboring organs.
The surgeries for both patients were performed on the same day using the same method. Following a 7 cm incision in the neck, the cancerous thyroid gland was removed while preserving the parathyroid glands and laryngeal nerve. Both patients recovered well, with normal eating and speaking abilities, and were discharged the next day. Their cancers were non-invasive and did not require further treatment with radioactive iodine.
Dr. Tan emphasized that early detection is crucial for successful treatment outcomes in thyroid cancer cases. Regular health checks can aid in early detection and prompt treatment, increasing the likelihood of a successful recovery for those affected by this disease.
Obesity, low iodine intake, radiation exposure, and genetics are some of the risk factors associated with thyroid cancer in Vietnam.
Mr. Thuan’s multinodular goiter was assessed at TIRADS level 5 while Mr. Hai’s tumors ranged from TIRADS 2 to TIRADS 5 with TIRADS 4 nodules in his thyroid isthmus.
Papillary thyroid cancer is typically found in individuals aged 30-50 years old and responds well to treatment.
Both patients recovered well after surgery and were discharged on time.
Thyroid cancer has a high survival rate of over 90% if diagnosed early.
