Quirónsalud Marbella Hospital, a pioneer in ultrasound HIFU therapy for the treatment of thyroid nodules
• The Marbella medical centre has acquired the most advanced system to treat thyroid gland nodules without the need of surgery. There are only two units using this technology in Spain, and Quirónsalud Marbella is the only one applying this therapy in the Southern half of the country.
Hospital Quirónsalud Marbella is leader in the treatment of thyroid nodules with the adoption of ultrasound HIFU therapy. This is the most advanced therapy in the market, providing treatment of thyroid gland nodules without the need of surgery. There are only two active units using this technology in Spain: one in the region of Aragon and the other just launched by Quirónsalud Marbella, which makes it the only medical centre in Andalusia and the Southern half of the country to have this new specific therapy to treat these types of nodules.
"This new technology is based on the use of ultrasound to target the exact chosen area -the nodule in this case- with millimetric precision. We use a thermal ablation technique delivering flashes that target the core of the tissue. This is, we build up a temperature to 80/85 degrees in the core of the nodule that burns the lump preventing its growth and reducing the risk of future malignancy", explains the Head of the Endocrinology and Nutrition Unit, Doctor Rida Nagib Raya.
The main highlight of this therapy is that it is totally harmless and therefore does not leave scars nor causes adverse side effects. "Its most significant benefit is that the nodule is non-invasively treated. It does not leave a scar nor side effects or complications. With conventional treatments (surgery and radiofrequency) there is a certain level of risk of causing vocal cord palsy, alteration of the parathyroid gland or calcium, poor healing..." highlights the specialist.
The ultrasound HIFU therapy developed by company Theraclion is specially indicated in patients with thyroid nodules of considerable size, nodules at the stage of continuous growth which compress other structures and can cause other symptoms, such as discomfort when swallowing or difficulty to breathe... It is also the most suitable therapy for patients where their health condition does not advise surgery.
Thyroid nodules are growths in parts of the thyroid gland that can increase in size and pose a risk for the individual if they become malignant. As the Head of the Endocrinology and Nutrition Unit explains "thyroid nodules are similar to breast nodules. Not all of them will develop into cancer, as they can be benign as well as malignant. The same can happen with the thyroid gland. These nodules are very common with 50% of the population having them, therefore they need to be under control as there is a risk of malignancy or adverse side effects in the event of growing excessively".
The thyroid gland is located in the anterior area of the neck. It has a characteristic butterfly shape and is involved in a variety of functions such as basal metabolism, the heart, the digestive system, the nervous system and mood.
