What are the most important questions to ask before thyroid surgery?

@rockon79
Here are some links to help you prepare:
1. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/thyroid-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/talking-with-doctor.html
2. https://www.dukehealth.org/blog/8-questions-ask-your-doctor-thyroid-surgery
3. https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/thyroid-cancer-surgery--what-to-consider.h00-159146823.html
4. https://www.ummhealth.org/health-library/thyroid-cancer-treatment-questions
5. https://thancguide.org/2022/01/the-journey/10-common-questions-before-thyroid-cancer-surgery/
6. https://thyca.org/newly-diagnosed/questions/
7. https://columbiasurgery.org/thyroid/thyroid-surgery-frequently-asked-questions
8. https://www.endocrinemds.com/blogs/8-questions-to-ask-your-doctor-before-thyroid-surgery
9. https://thancguide.org/cancer-basics/treatments/surgery/ablative/thyroidectomy/
10. https://www.thyroidcancer.com/thyroid-surgery/faq-videos
11. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/7016-thyroidectomy

Make sure your scan is accurate. My daughter had cancerous nodules they missed. I’m really upset about that. Best of luck! 🙏

My thyroid tumor was plastered against my trachea and next to my voice box. I had a highly experienced surgeon. He knew before surgery what the complications would be.
1. Remote chance I could lose my voice. I told him to do what he had to do. I did not lose my voice but it is completely different. Ower and raspy.
2. Surgeon was concerned with tumor against trachea. He was not able to get it all. Too messy.
Therefore, I had 35 radiation and 6 chemotherapy post op.

Some good points. I do not know exactly where the tumors are, just that they are large, one is cancerous and there is one on each lobe. Others have mentioned the negative effects on speaking which is concerning to me-another thing to ask about, plus the tumor locations. Seeing the surgeon tomorrow, much obliged.

I have been informed ( here and by my forming cancer team) that an exact and complete diagnosis in not 100%, by the very nature of the testing and the thyroid. I understand that only after it is removed and dissected can they be sure of the condition. Still it brings a good question. Meeting with the surgeon tomorrow-so thanks

Thank you-most helpful

Thank you! I've reviewed all these websites, and added at least 10 questions to my list for my surgeons... having a tumor removed from my carotid artery in July, and they will also be doing FNA's on thyroid and lymph lymph beforehand, and will take care of whatever they find, during surgery on their way in to the carotid artery.

Sounds exactly like my 36yr old daughter’s experience. Best of luck to you!🙏

Through a recent routine ob/gyn exam my doctor felt a node on the right side of my neck. Ultrasound and FNA-Biopsy revealed Papillary Thyroid Cancer. I would like to know who are the best doctors of ENT - Oncology at Mayo. Any information and recommendations are welcome. Thank you so much for all of the great questions and information on here.