Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid conditions are common. We perform on-the-spot ultrasound evaluation with a fine-needle biopsy so that a diagnosis may be obtained within the same consultation. Treatment options include radiofrequency ablation (non-surgical) for benign nodules and minimally invasive (endoscopic or robotic) surgery.


Dr Thomas Ho

Senior Consultant Endocrine Surgeon
Thyroid Cancer Specialist
MBBS(Sydney), MMed(Surg), AFRCS(Ireland), FRCS(Edinburgh), FAMS(General Surgery)

What is the thyroid? How important is it for my health?

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine organ located in the lower front portion of the neck. The thyroid primarily produces thyroxine hormone which is secreted into the bloodstream and carried to the rest of the body.

Thyroxine contributes to the body’s metabolism such as keeping the body warm and keeping the brain, heart, muscles, and other vital organs working as they should.

Diagnosis and Treatment

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Frequently asked questions

Thyroid surgery is generally safe in experienced hands. The main complications are:

  • Post-operative bleeding that may lead to respiratory distress
  • Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury that can cause temporary or permanent hoarseness, or even respiratory distress in the event that the nerves on both sides are injured
  • Superior laryngeal nerve injury that can cause temporary or permanent change in the pitch of your voice
  • Parathyroid gland(s) trauma which leads to hypoparathyroidism and hypocalcaemia

Studies have shown that complication rates are lower when performed by a surgeon who has received special training and who performs thyroid surgery on a regular basis.

This is an odd question although I can understand the anxiety behind it. I do have a standard answer for this and it goes like this: if by ‘major’, the patient worries about dying or having life-threatening complications post-operatively, or expects to be bed-bound for days suffering in pain, then the answer is “No”.

 

If however, the patient expects the surgery to be over within an hour, be discharged the same day and return to work the next, then the answer is also “No”. The reality is that the surgery can take up to 3 hours (depending on the extent of the surgery), the patient stays in hospital 1-2 days after surgery, and she can eat, talk and walk immediately after the surgery with minimal discomfort.

Even though a slight change in voice or mild hoarseness is one of the major complications of a thyroid surgery, it is almost unheard of to lose one’s voice completely.

 

Instead, a transient period during which she experiences a slight hoarseness or strength in voice is probably the most common result. The actual impact of surgery on the voice is often determined by the patient’s expectations and whether she is a professional voice user.

Patients usually recover very quickly after thyroid surgery. The stay in hospital is usually 1-2 days and you can expect to return to a normal diet and daily activities soon after surgery. Strenuous physical activities that may require neck extension should be avoided. A drain may be placed during the operation and this will be removed before discharge from hospital. Generally, there will not be any sutures to remove.

 

In the longer term, you may be prescribed thyroid hormone replacement if you have undergone a total thyroidectomy. Patients who have thyroid cancer may be referred for radioactive iodine treatment. The majority of patients who have had a hemithyroidectomy do not require hormone replacement.
There is a common concern amongst my female patients that they will become overweight after completely removing the thyroid gland. The misconception stems from the fact that patients need to be on lifelong thyroid hormone replacement.

 

On the contrary, a patient on the correct dose of hormone replacement coupled with a regular diet and exercise, should not experience any change in her weight or lifestyle.
No, especially if the thyroid condition is benign and the gland is removed by an experienced thyroid surgeon. Sometimes a benign problem may return if the surgery previously performed is less than a total thyroidectomy. If the condition stems from a cancer, there is definitely a risk of future recurrence depending on the aggressiveness of the cancer and the follow up treatment.
The cost of thyroid surgery in Singapore (surgeon’s fees) starts from $7,200, based on MOH’s fee benchmarks. This excludes GST, consumables, and facility charges. Consultation and diagnostic procedures are billed separately, but you may be able to claim these costs from your insurance provider if surgery is required
Yes you may use insurance or Medisave to cover the cost of surgery. Before your procedure, our clinic will assist with pre-authorisation and obtaining a letter of guarantee from your insurer to ensure subsidy for the procedure. Do contact our clinic and consult your insurance agent to find out the estimated coverage for your screening.
The Specialist Behind Your Care

Dr Thomas Ho

Senior Consultant General Surgeon
20+ Years of Clinical Experience

MBBS(Sydney), MMed(Surg), AFRCS(Ireland), FRCS(Edinburgh), FAMS(General Surgery), FSSO(USA)

Dr. Thomas Ho is a distinguished surgeon well known for his expertise in Cancer Surgery, especially in the field of Head and Neck cancers as well as Abdominal and Digestive cancers. In 2009 he was awarded a MOH scholarship and completed a Surgical Oncology Fellowship in Canada, becoming one of only a handful of surgeons in Singapore with this recognition.

Prior to private practice, Dr. Ho founded the Head and Neck Surgery and Surgical Oncology service at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Dr. Ho is experienced in laparoscopic (keyhole) and robotic-assisted surgery, which he routinely employs in the treatment of thyroid cancer, colorectal cancer, hernias, gallbladder diseases, adrenal and spleen disorders.

Thyroid Screening Package

Includes the following, done on the same day:

  • Consultation
  • Thyroid examination inclusive of neck and thyroid ultrasound
  • Comprehensive thyroid lab tests
  • Fine needle biopsy if suspicious thyroid nodules or neck masses are found
Early detection

Get Yourself Screened

The benefit of detecting surgical conditions early is to enable less invasive and extensive surgery while achieving the best results.

For your peace of mind

Wide Insurance Coverage

We are on the panel of most private insurance providers and are also accredited to process your Medisave claims.

Peace of mind with our comprehensive coverage
Dedicated assistance with claims and co-payment arrangements for your procedures

Have a health concern?
Contact us today.

We understand your anxieties and we’re here to support you throughout your health journey. If you would like to book an appointment or seek a second opinion, reach out to us through our enquiry form or give us a call at +65 6261 8311