5420 Strickland Ave, Lakeland, FL 33812
Mon-Thu 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Fri 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Understanding Thyroids & Thyroid Surgery
5420 Strickland Ave, Lakeland, FL 33812
Located In Hickman Office Park
Mon-Thu 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Fri 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Your Thyroid's Importance & Early Signs of Trouble.
Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland situated at the base of the front of your neck, just below your Adam's apple. Hormones produced by the thyroid gland — triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) — have an enormous impact on your health, affecting all aspects of your metabolism. The most common early warning signs of a thyroid problem include unexplained tiredness, constipation, dry skin, body temperature problems, weight gain, hoarseness, and mood imbalances. These symptoms may seem unrelated, but when taken together, can amount to thyroid concerns.
Commonality Of Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer is relatively common with more than 50,000 new cases of thyroid cancer each year in the United States. Women are more likely to develop thyroid cancer at a ratio of three to one. Although Thyroid cancer is most common after age 30 and its aggressiveness increases significantly in patients above 55 years of age it can occur in any age group. The majority of patients present with a nodule on their thyroid which typically does not cause symptoms. Remember, likely over 90% of thyroid nodules are not cancer. When a thyroid cancer does begin to grow within a thyroid gland, it almost always does so within a discrete nodule within the thyroid. Said differently, the entire thyroid isn’t a cancer; the cancer grows from within a nodule which is within the thyroid.
Types Of Thyroid Cancer
There are four major types of thyroid cancer some of which are much more common than others. The only way to determine which type of thyroid cancer is present is to perform a biopsy. The type of cancer is defined by the type of cells that make up the cancer and this is determined under a microscope by a pathologist. It's important to understand the specific type of thyroid cancer present and it's differences, as it will determine every aspect of treatment. How these cancers are treated, how much surgery is necessary, and whether or not radioactive iodine, targeted chemotherapy, or other therapies are needed depends on which type of thyroid cancer is present.
1. Papillary and/or mixed papillary/follicular.
85% Incidence
2. Follicular thyroid cancer
10% Incidence
3. Hurthle cell thyroid cancer
2% Incidence
4. Medullary thyroid cancer
2% Incidence
5. Anaplastic
< 1% Incidence
6. Lymphoma
< 1% Incidence
Treatment
Depending on the type of cancer identified by the biopsy, different methods of treatment will be used.
Surgery
Nearly every case of thyroid cancer is treated with surgery. The most common operation is a Thyroidectomy which removes the thyroid gland. If the entire thyroid gland is removed, it is called a total thyroidectomy. Sometimes the surgeon may not be able to remove the entire thyroid. If nearly all of the gland is removed, it is called a near-total thyroidectomy. If cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes in the neck, these will be removed at the same time surgery is done on the thyroid. In some cases a lobectomy will be chosen to remove the lobe containing the cancer rather than performing a thyroidectomy.
Radioactive Iodine (Radioiodine)
Your thyroid gland absorbs nearly all of the iodine in your body. Because of this, radioactive iodine (RAI, also called I-131) can be used to treat thyroid cancer. The RAI collects mainly in thyroid cells, where the radiation can destroy the thyroid gland and any other thyroid cells (including cancer cells) that take up iodine, with little effect on the rest of your body.
External Beam Radiation Therapy
External beam radiation therapy uses high-energy rays (or particles) to destroy cancer cells or slow their growth. A carefully focused beam of radiation is delivered from a machine outside the body. This type of radiation therapy is most often used to treat medullary thyroid cancer and anaplastic thyroid cancer.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy (chemo) uses anti-cancer drugs that are injected into a vein or are taken by mouth. Chemotherapy is systemic therapy, which means that the drug enters the bloodstream and travels throughout the body to reach and destroy cancer cells.
Targeted Drug Therapy
Newer drugs that specifically target the changes inside cells that cause them to become cancer are now being used to treat some thyroid cancers. These drugs are different from standard chemo drugs, and they often have different types of side effects.
Ear
Your ears enable you to experience many beautiful things in life such as great music, voices of loved ones, sounds of nature, and other great aspects of sound. Proper care is important to treating ear infections or discomfort which can be frustrating to deal with and can affect how you conduct your daily life.
Nose
Your nose helps filter out harmful allergens, allows you to breathe easily, take in the scent of home cooked meals, and add to the experience of outdoor adventures. Keeping your senses in good shape and reducing symptoms of allergies helps you stay happy and able to enjoy the big and small moments life has to offer.
Throat
Your neck and throat health are essential to staying comfortable in your daily life. You may not even think much about these parts of your body on a daily basis until an issue like recurring infections or nodules of the throat, thyroid, or vocal cords makes it uncomfortable to sleep, breathe, talk, or sing.
There's A Treatment That's Right For You
Ear, Nose
& Throat Care
Expert care and treatment for conditions & infections causing discomfort to the ears, nose, or throat.
Neck &
Head Care
Analysis and treatment for skin tumors on the head and neck and other related conditions.
Allergy Treatment & Management
Treatment with the goal of reducing the symptoms of allergies and make them less noticeable or dangerous.
Treatment For
Sleep Apnea
Treatment for sleep apnea disorder that make it easier to sleep, breathe while asleep, and get restful sleep.
We understand that living discomfort can be burdensome.
We've been helping families like yours for over 20 Years.
We Save Money For Families By Providing Effective Treatment & Preventing Long Term Damage
Our Practice Has Been Serving The Community Since 2002
Thousands Of Patients Have Seen Results From Treatment
Getting Started Is Easy
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Surgical Services Provided At Bay Care Facility In Bartow
2200 Osprey Blvd, Bartow, FL 33830
Family Care Ear, Nose & Throat Physician
Dr. Herman Matallana, DO
Otolaryngology Specialist
Dr. Herman Matallana, known by his patients as Dr. Mat, is a dedicated physician with over ten years of experience in the treatment of Ear, Nose and Throat, Reconstructive Surgery and Allergies. Dr. Mat graduated from Kansas City University of Medicine and Bio-Sciences and did his specialization in Otolaryngology, Head & Neck and Reconstructive Surgery at Des Peres Hospital in St. Louis, MO.
What Our Clients Are Saying
What Our Clients
Are Saying
Dr Mat is a great doctor. He is attentive, caring, and best of all he listens to your concerns. His staff are all very polite, respectful and attentive to your needs. This is a doctor's office that work together as a team and they all know without a doubt what's going with each patient. Imñam very grateful that I was referred to Dr Mat.
Brenda B.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Dr Mat is AMAZING! He takes time to listen to your concerns and answer questions. My surgery was at Bartow Medical Center. The amount of respect the nurses and other staff members have for Dr Mat shows tremendously. They were amazing and they took phenomenal care of me.
Kylie S.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Dr. Matallana has been nothing but amazing for myself and my children. From tubes all the way to reconstructive surgery on my eldest child's nose. Outstanding doctor, outstanding care.
Jess W.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Office Hours
Mon-Thu: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, Fri: 8:30 am - 12 pm
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