Thyroid nodules are solid or fluid-filled lumps that form within the thyroid gland. Most nodules are benign and cause no symptoms, but a small percentage can be cancerous.
Causes:
Symptoms:
Diagnosis and Treatment:
Ultrasound and fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy help determine whether a nodule is benign or malignant. Surgery may be required if a nodule is suspicious, causing symptoms, or growing rapidly.
A goitre is an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. It may be diffuse or multinodular and can be associated with normal, overactive (hyperthyroidism), or underactive (hypothyroidism) thyroid function.
Causes:
Symptoms:
Treatment Options:
Mild cases may be monitored or treated with thyroid hormone medication. Large or symptomatic goitres may require thyroidectomy, particularly if they compress nearby structures or extend into the chest (retrosternal goitre).
Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid produces too much hormone, speeding up the body’s metabolism. It can be caused by several conditions, including:
Symptoms:
Treatment Options:
Initial management usually includes antithyroid medication or radioactive iodine therapy. Surgery (usually a total or subtotal thyroidectomy) may be recommended for:
Thyroid cancer is relatively uncommon in Australia but has seen rising incidence due to improved imaging and early detection. According to Cancer Australia, over 3,900 new cases of thyroid cancer are diagnosed each year, with a higher prevalence in women.
Types of Thyroid Cancer:
Symptoms:
Treatment Options:
Surgery is the first-line treatment and may involve:
This is often followed by radioactive iodine therapy, thyroid hormone replacement, and ongoing monitoring with blood tests and imaging.
Gastroscopy is typically performed as a day procedure under light sedation. A thin, flexible tube with a camera (endoscope) is passed through the mouth into the upper-GI tract. It allows your surgeon to inspect the lining of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum, take biopsies, and treat certain issues on the spot (e.g., bleeding, removing polyps).
The procedure generally takes 10–15 minutes, and most patients recover quickly with minimal discomfort.
Thyroid surgery is generally safe but, like all procedures, carries some risks:
Most patients recover within 1-to-2 weeks, with minimal scarring, especially when modern minimally invasive techniques are used.
At Sydney Surgical Associates, our surgeons offer highly specialised care in thyroid surgery, including the management of complex and cancerous cases. We work closely with referring GPs and endocrinologists to deliver streamlined, coordinated care from diagnosis to recovery.
We prioritise surgical safety, optimal outcomes, and patient comfort. Our team is also experienced in nerve monitoring and minimally invasive techniques, helping reduce post-operative complications and improve recovery time.
