Thyroid cancer is a disease which affects 37,000 patients in the US each year according to the National Cancer Institute. It affects female patients more commonly. In fact the incidence in females can be as high as three to one. Patients affected by thyroid cancer are usually younger, in age group 30 to 55 years. Frequent symptoms reported by thyroid cancer patients include hoarseness in voice, neck pain, and enlarged lymph nodes.
Most common types of thyroid cancer can be treated with 97% success rate when appropriate surgical techniques are used. Typical surgical treatment includes removal of the lobe of the thyroid affected by cancer.
In traditional surgical treatment, the surgeon had to place an incision of at least three to five inches in front of the neck to remove the thyroid lobe affected with cancer. This left a very visible and ugly scar in front of the neck after surgery. Since thyroid cancer affected younger female patients more often, this three to five inches long scar was a big cause of concern due to cosmetic reasons.
Now, with the use of daVinci Robot Surgical System, the affected cancerous thyroid lobe can be removed from the neck without leaving any visible scar. By using daVinci Robot’s arms, surgeons can reach the thyroid area by entering into patients body through incision made in the armpit. The surgical removal of thyroid lobe can be completed with highest precision using daVinci Robot’s arms.
