Thyroid cancer surgery aims to remove the cancerous nodule or lobe and ensure no thyroid tissue remains that could lead to recurrence. An important consideration on the way is whether lymph node dissection must be performed to check for cancer spread. Here, the best thyroid cancer surgeon in Kolkata outlines the role of lymph node dissection in this surgery. 

The nature of lymph node dissection: 

Lymph node dissection involves surgical removal and examination of lymph nodes in the neck. This helps determine if thyroid cancer has migrated to the lymph nodes, which, in turn, would determine the staging and treatment of the cancer. Enlarged node appearance on imaging often drives decisions for lymph node dissection.

The extent of lymph node dissection varies based on cancer type, imaging, and risk level. Common approaches include:

  • Central neck dissection: This technique consists of the removal of lymph nodes in central neck compartments around the thyroid. This limited dissection is typically performed for high-risk papillary thyroid cancers.
  • Lateral neck dissection: It involves the removal of lymph nodes from lateral regions of the neck. This more extensive dissection may be required in case of confirmed lateral nodal metastases, especially in higher-risk cancers.
  • Selective dissection: This procedure entails the targeted removal of suspicious or enlarged lymph nodes identified during surgery or by ultrasound without clearing an entire compartment. This selective approach is known to lower morbidity.

Experts debate the appropriate degree of lymph node dissection. More extensive dissection provides better staging and lower recurrence risk but also proportionally increases complication chances and morbidity. Less aggressive or selective approaches avoid unnecessary lymph node removal in the case of an early-stage cancer. Hence, early detection holds the key to a least-invasive and swift cancer treatment. For additional thyroid cancer surgery, lymph node assessment via dissection guides the nature of the surgical treatment.