Surgery for thyroid cancer
There are different types of surgery you might have for thyroid cancer. You might have surgery to remove:
part of your thyroid - this is a lobectomy, partial thyroidectomy or hemithyroidectomy
all of your thyroid gland - this is a total thyroidectomy
in your neck
Depending on your situation, you might need further surgery after a partial thyroidectomy. This is to remove the remaining thyroid . Doctors call this a completion thyroidectomy.
Surgery is the main treatment for most types of thyroid cancers. These include:
follicular thyroid cancer
papillary thyroid cancer
oncocytic thyroid cancer (doctors used to call this Hurthle cell)
medullary thyroid cancer
Doctors mostly diagnose anaplastic thyroid cancer at a late stage. This can mean surgery is not an option. However, if surgery is possible, it is usually the first treatment option.
A total thyroidectomy means your surgeon removes all your thyroid gland.
You might also have a total thyroidectomy if you have a but doctors have not diagnosed you with thyroid cancer. This gene change increases your risk of developing medullary cancer.
A partial thyroidectomy means your surgeon removes part of your thyroid gland. Doctors also call this operation a lobectomy or a hemithyroidectomy. The surgeon removes:
half of your thyroid gland (one lobe)
the bridge of thyroid tissue connecting the 2 thyroid lobes (the isthmus)
You sometimes have this operation to diagnose your thyroid cancer. Doctors call this a diagnostic hemithyroidectomy. Or you might have this surgery to treat a very small thyroid cancer.
You might need a second operation after you have a partial thyroidectomy. This removes all of the remaining thyroid gland. Doctors call this a completion thyroidectomy.
are part of a network of lymph vessels throughout your body. Cancer can spread to your lymph nodes. Your surgeon might remove some lymph nodes on the front, or the front and side of your neck. They do this at the same time as your thyroidectomy.
Your surgeon might know before the operation that you have cancer in some lymph nodes. They remove these lymph nodes. This is called a neck dissection. They may remove all the nodes on that side of your neck or in the centre of your neck.
The surgeon removes the lymph nodes in the central area of your neck if you have:
medullary thyroid cancer
differentiated thyroid cancer and your doctor thinks there is a high risk that your cancer might come back
This is because the lymph modes may contain cancer . This is called a prophylactic lymph node dissection.
Your surgeon might also remove the lymph nodes on one or both sides of your neck.
If the surgeon removes some of your lymph nodes, you should take extra care of the area where the lymph nodes were. For example, it is important to avoid . You should talk to your healthcare team if you notice any swelling.
Having a thyroidectomy is a big operation. You need to be fit enough for a long operation and to make a good recovery afterwards. You have your operation under a , so you won’t be aware of anything or feel anything.
Your surgeon makes a cut in your lower neck to get to the thyroid gland. Before the operation, your surgeon will tell you exactly where they plan to make the cut in your neck, and where the scar will be.
Go to more information about preparing for surgery and what happens on the day
After the operation you may have a dressing over the area on your neck. There will be stitches or staples in your wound and you may have one or two tubes (drains) coming from your wound.
Find out about what happens after surgery
Side effects following thyroid surgery can include:
infection
or bleeding
voice changes, such as a hoarse voice
Your neck and throat will feel sore and uncomfortable for a few days.
Last reviewed: 23 Sept 2026
Next review due: 23 Sept 2029
Find out more about Preparing for surgery
On the day of your operation, your nurse will go through a checklist to help you get ready.
Find out more about After thyroid cancer surgery
The thyroid is a small butterfly shaped gland that makes and releases hormones. It’s found at the front of your neck in the lowest part.
