Thyroid

Thyroid Gland

The thyroid is the most important gland of the human body. It controls the body’s most important functions with absolute precision, by regulating the body’s fat-burning ability, growth and metabolism. Indirectly, it regulates our mental health and balance as well.

The thyroid can be underactive or overactive causing problems accordingly. When it is overactive, the syndrome is called hyperthyroidism. Patients usually present with nervousness, weight loss (although they are properly nourished), sweating, rapid heartbeat and arrhythmia. When the gland is underactive, the syndrome is called hypothyroidism and is characterized by drowsiness, bradycardia and sometimes obesity.

Fortunately, most thyroid diseases are effectively cured through medication. The doctor is responsible for guiding patients, so that they follow a suitable treatment after the completion of necessary tests.

Thyroid nodule

thyroid nodule is a formation of varying dimensions, which protrudes from the rest of the gland. Most frequently, there may be more than one nodules at the same time. They are caused by a local gland hyperplasia, through fibrosis, hernias or benign tumours, and are sometimes caused by malignant tumours as well.

Goitre

It is a condition where the thyroid gland becomes enlarged. It is easily perceived as a swelling in the neck and frequently worries patients. A goitre may be accompanied by hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. In the past, it used to appear very frequently in our country in regions lacking iodine.

Thyroid cancer

It is a relatively rare type of cancer (less than 1% of all human cancers). It is the most frequent endocrine cancer with good prognosis and is classified into two types:

• Medullary carcinoma, which arises from parafollicular cells and is less frequent, and

 Carcinomas arising from follicular cells and which are the more frequent (papillary and follicular carcinomas).

In most cases, it is detected accidentally, as a solitary nodule (local swelling) during a physical examination or if the patient or someone of their environment notices it.

Most patients initially undergo thyroidectomy, and all patients receive post-operative hormonotherapy. Many also receive radioactive iodine. Radiotherapy is rarely recommended and chemotherapy even more rarely.

Surgery

Family doctors and endocrinologists can and should recommend evaluation by a surgeon, when the following cases are detected:

• Big goitre, which cannot be cured through medication and which causes pressure related problems of the throat -such as dyspnea- or aesthetically bothers the patient.

• Goitre with multiple nodules (multinodular goitre), which cannot be cured through medication.

• Toxic goitre, which causes serious problems and becomes dangerous for the patient.

• Toxic nodule or a nodule that grows quickly despite medication or when the doctor suspects malignancy

Thyroid surgery is a demanding procedure, which should be performed by a specialized surgeon. The gland is located in a sensitive area, which is near many vital organs and formations (nerves, vessels, trachea, oesophagus).

Most times the whole gland is removed and the operation is then called a total thyroidectomy.

The surgeon creates a small transverse incision of 3-4 cm in the neck. We remove the thyroid gland without cutting the muscles and we identify, prepare and keep intact the recurrent laryngeal nerves using a special device (nerve stimulator).

The surgery is completed through dermoplasty, while drainage is not required. The patient is usually discharged from the hospital the next day.

In conclusion, good knowledge of the anatomy of the neck and its variations, in combination with experience and advanced technological equipment in the operating room, guarantee a perfect and, above all, safe surgical procedure.

Parathyroid Glands

80% of humans have four parathyroid glands, while the remaining 20% may have five or six. These are small glands are found near the posterior aspect of the thyroid gland. Their main function is to regulate calcium homeostasis in the body through the hormones they secrete. The main hormone they produce is called parathyroid hormone.

Problems from the parathyroid glands arise when these start producing a larger than normal amount of the parathyroid hormone. The increase in parathyroid hormone quantity may be caused by hyperplasia, adenoma or carcinoma of the parathyroid glands, with adenoma being a more frequent reason.

Hypersecretion of parathyroid hormone results mainly in an increase of calcium levels in the blood. Calcium increase causes symptoms in the neuromuscular system, such as muscle weakness, in the gastrointestinal system, such as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, gastroduodenal ulcer, and less frequently pancreatitis.

Furthermore, the patient may present with bone pain, automatic fractures, renal colic, nephrolithiasis or even neurotic and psychotic reactions.

Diagnosis is usually done with blood tests, in which an increased level of calcium is detected, X-ray examination, ultrasound and neck scintigraphy.

Treatment exclusively involves surgery. During the first step before the operation, the pathological gland(s) are localized. Ultrasound, CT, MRI and neck scintigraphy with Technetium Sestamibi play a determining role at this point. The affected gland(s) are then removed through a very small incision of 2-3 cm in the neck. The removal is done with the help of an enlarged visualization of the operating field using special devices, so that an effective and safe procedure is ensured.

The patient is discharged from the hospital the next day.

ABOUT

Anastasios G. Xiarchos

General Surgeon

  • Director of General and Laparoscopic Surgery Clinic of the Medical Center of Athens
  • President of the Scientific Association of Anorectal Surgery

Contact Info

Office:
Patriarchou Ioakeim 25, Kolonaki, 10675

Office Tel:
0030 210 7296584

Secretarey Tel: 0030 6938 340 082

24hr Emergency Phone Number: 0030 6983 340 082

info@axiarchos.gr

4 SHORT ANSWERS ABOUT DR. ANASTASIOS XIARCHOS

Learn More About the Doctor

Who is Dr. Anastasios Xiarchos?

Anastasios G. Xiarchos is a General Surgeon, the Director of General and Laparoscopic Surgery Clinic of the Medical Center of Athens – Peristeri Clinic and the President of the Scientific Association of Anorectal Surgery.

Learn more about Dr. Anastasios Xiarchos on the page with his
curriculum vitae.

What are the days and hours that I contact him?

To book an appointment call 0030 210 7296584 or his secretary directly at 0030 69 38340082.

Once you’ve booked your appointment you can visit the Doctor at his office in Kolonaki (Patriarchiou Ioakeim 25) or at the Medical Center of Athens.

In case of a medical emergency, please call the following number: • Office Tel.: 0030 210 7296584
• Secretary Tel.: 0030 69 38340082

24hr Emergency Phone Number:
0030 6938 340 082

Which funds and insurances are supported?

Affordable Packages & Contracts with:

• All funds

• All private insurance companies

Where does Dr. Anastasios Xiarchos operate?

Athens Medical Group