OPERATIVE AND POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT OF THE PATIENT WITH FOLLICULAR AND HURTHLE CELL-CARCINOMA - DO THEY DIFFER

Most characteristics of follicular and Hurthle cell carcinoma are similar; however, important differences must be recognized. Approximately 20% of thyroid nodules that are deemed suspicious by fine-needle aspiration will prove to be malignant; the remaining 80% represent benign follicular or Hurthle cell nodules. Benign adenomas usually are managed with a unilateral total lobectomy, whereas carcinomas and tumors quite suspicious for carcinoma are removed through a total or near-total thyroidectomy. This affords not only complete clearance of the tumor, but facilitates postoperative follow-up both diagnostically and therapeutically with I-131.