The term radiofrequency can sometimes feel daunting to patients. This may be due to radiation. However, radiofrequency therapy has nothing to do with radiation rays.
No beams are used in radiofrequency therapy. The only energy used is heat energy. Radiofrequency therapy, which has been used safely for many years for many diseases, especially liver masses, is now also being used in thyroid nodules.
How Does Radiofrequency Therapy Affect Thyroid Nodules?
The thyroid nodule is the swelling and lump within the thyroid gland. If we accept the thyroid gland as a pillow, the nodule can also be considered as a balloon stuck in this pillow by swelling. Radiofrequency treatment is the process of extinguishing the air by entering into this balloon. Radiofrequency therapy is not a surgical procedure. The nodule is not removed, it is minimized with thermal energy.
How to Treat Radiofrequency?
Radiofrequency treatment is carried out under regional or general anesthetic. The treatment process takes about 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of the nodule. In this treatment, the ultrasonography device is used as a guide. The physician first displays the nodule by ultrasonography, then moves under the guidance of this image. The physician monitors the destroyed tissues through their monitor by means of a needle and controlled heat release. When they are sure that adequate treatment has been applied, they stop the energy flow, remove the needle from the inside of the nodule and terminate the procedure.
Will Nodules Shrinking with Radiofrequency Therapy Grow Back?
This is very rare. Because the heat energy used during radiofrequency therapy destroys the cells in the nodule, it is difficult for the nodule to regrow. This condition may occur as a result of poorly done, inadequate radiofrequency therapy.
What are the Advantages of Radiofrequency Therapy?
There is no need to stay in the hospital after thyroid radiofrequency treatment. Since the treatment is performed with a thin needle, it does not leave scars on the skin and is painless. The patient can go home after being under the supervision of a physician for a few hours after the procedure.
What is the Process After Radiofrequency Therapy?
The patient may feel some swelling and pain in the anterior region of the neck for the first few days. However, this is a non-severe pain that can be prevented with oral painkillers. Over time, the nodule diameter decreases. Ideal results are obtained within 3-6 months. The first check is performed one week after the procedure. Treatment is then completed with 3rd and 6th-month controls.
Is Radiofrequency Therapy Also Used in Toxic Goiter?
There are several different types of toxic goiter. If it is a toxic goiter due to a nodule, radiofrequency therapy is highly effective in this patient group. Thanks to radiofrequency therapy, hormone-producing cells that cause toxic goiter are destroyed, and excess hormone secretion of the thyroid gland is eliminated. The patient gets rid of the disease without the need for surgical intervention or taking radioactive iodine.
Is Radiofrequency Therapy Used in Thyroid Cancer?
Except in very specific situations, radiofrequency therapy is not used in thyroid cancer. For nodules that have been proven to be cancerous by biopsy or with high suspicion of cancer, the scientific approach accepted today is surgical treatment.
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See Also
- If the Size of the Thyroid Nodule is Over 4 cm, Be Cautious!
- How Does High Calcium in Blood Cause Complaints?
- A First in the Literature: Parathyroid Cell Obtained from Thyroid Stem Cell
- Diagnosis in Thyroid Diseases
- Assessment of Hyperthyroidism
- Hashimoto's Thyroid Disease
- Thyroid Tumor (Cancer)
- Graves' Disease
- Thyroid Nodules
- Thyroid Surgery
- Assessment of Hypothyroidism
- What is the Harm of High Calcium in the Blood?
- Frequently Asked Questions in Thyroid Diseases
- Atomic Therapy (Radioactive Iodine Therapy)
- Which Thyroid Nodule Can Be Treated Without Surgery?
- She Was Relieved of Her Pain When the Missing Parathyroid Gland Was Found in The Chest Cavity
- Thyroid Storm Can Turn Life Upside Down
- Recovered From Thyroid Nodule with Needle Melting Method
- Stress Triggers Thyroid Diseases; These Occupations Are At Risk!
- Turkish Physician Developed a Novel Method for Parathyroid Transplant
- What Should Be Considered After Parathyroid Surgery?
- Parathyroid Diseases and Treatment
- They Said It Was Thyroid Cancer, But It Turned Out to Be Parathyroid Adenoma!
- The Frequency of Thyroid Nodules and Thyroid Cancer in Young People is Increasing!
- Thyroid Cancer Treatment Is Possible Without Removing The Entire Thyroid Gland
- Thyroid Storm
- T4 Hormone in 13 Headings
- Questions About Thyroid Diseases
- Thyroid Diseases
- Goiter (Thyroid Gland) Biopsy
- What Is Autoimmune Hypoparathyroidism or Hypocalcemia?
- What Is The Loss of Low Calcium Level in Blood?
- What Is The Symptoms of Calcium Level Elevation (Hypercalcemia)?
- How It Is Made The Parathyroid Adenoma Operation?
- What Is Parathyroid Hyperplasia?
- Parathyroid Tumors
- What Are The Parathyroid Glands?
- The Incidence of Thyroid Cancer Has Increased! There is Turkey in the Research!
- Key Surgery Performed In Turkish Hospital For First Time