Thyroid Cancer Surgeon Sydney
Expert thyroid cancer surgery with superior outcomes
Professor Stan Sidhu is a specialist thyroid cancer surgeon based in Sydney, who has performed over 10,000 neck operations and has extensive expertise in advanced thyroid cancer treatment. As a University of Sydney Professor and endocrine surgery specialist, he provides comprehensive thyroid cancer care with exceptional outcomes and voice preservation.
Our thyroid cancer surgery program combines cutting-edge surgical techniques, advanced neuromonitoring technology, and a multidisciplinary approach to deliver the highest standard of cancer care across Sydney, Central Coast, and regional NSW.
Types of Thyroid Cancer We Treat
As a specialised thyroid cancer surgeon in Sydney, Professor Sidhu treats all types of thyroid cancer. The most common type is papillary thyroid cancer, but treatment plans also need to account for follicular, medullary, poorly differentiated, and anaplastic disease.
Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common thyroid cancer and accounts for more than 80% of cases. Long-term outcomes are usually excellent when surgery is planned well and followed by appropriate surveillance.
Follicular Thyroid Cancer
Follicular thyroid cancer is less common than papillary thyroid cancer and may require either hemithyroidectomy or total thyroidectomy depending on the final pathology and staging findings.
Medullary Thyroid Cancer
Medullary thyroid cancer arises from C-cells and often requires a broader surgical strategy that may include central or lateral neck dissection.
Poorly Differentiated and Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
These uncommon cancers are more aggressive and require urgent specialist assessment with careful planning of surgery and any additional therapy.
Cancer Staging and Treatment Decisions
Accurate assessment is crucial for optimal thyroid cancer treatment. Professor Sidhu uses advanced diagnostic techniques to determine the most appropriate surgical approach.
- Hemithyroidectomy or total thyroidectomy based on cancer characteristics
- Total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection
- Comprehensive surgery with lateral neck dissection when indicated
Papillary thyroid cancer
The most common type of thyroid cancer is typically slow-growing with excellent prognosis when treated by experienced thyroid cancer surgeons. We aim for superior outcomes with minimally invasive techniques when appropriate and comprehensive lymph node assessment.
Investigations for suspected thyroid cancer
The key goals of investigation are to determine the likelihood of malignancy, define the anatomy of disease in the thyroid and lymph nodes, and confirm thyroid functional status.
- Clinical review and specialist neck examination
- High-quality thyroid and cervical lymph node ultrasound
- Fine needle aspiration biopsy for suspicious nodules
- Blood tests including thyroid function as background assessment
- Cross-sectional imaging when anatomy or spread needs further definition
Ultrasound remains the core imaging test because it identifies suspicious nodules, lymph nodes, extra-thyroid extension, and whether biopsy is required.
Pathology and specimen images
Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Medullary Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid Cancer Histology
Follicular Thyroid Cancer
Pathology Image Composite
Surgical treatment options
Treatment of thyroid cancer consists of surgery with or without radioactive iodine. The exact operation depends on the biopsy result, the ultrasound findings, lymph node involvement, and the final pathology goals.
- Hemithyroidectomy for selected indeterminate or lower-risk unilateral cancers
- Total thyroidectomy for confirmed higher-risk disease or bilateral thyroid involvement
- Central lymph node dissection when indicated by disease pattern or operative planning
- Lateral neck dissection when metastatic lymph node disease is demonstrated
- Radioactive iodine in selected patients after surgery
Advanced surgical techniques
- Intraoperative neuromonitoring for voice preservation
- Careful recurrent laryngeal nerve identification
- Comprehensive nodal assessment when indicated
- Multidisciplinary planning with endocrinology, pathology, radiology, and nuclear medicine
Why Choose Professor Sidhu for Thyroid Cancer Surgery?
- 10,000+ neck operations with extensive cancer experience
- University of Sydney Professor with extensive published research and surgical outcomes
- Advanced neuromonitoring for voice preservation
- Minimally invasive techniques when appropriate
- Multidisciplinary cancer care coordination
- Superior cancer outcomes and low complication rates
Long-term management after surgery
Follow-up after thyroid cancer surgery is highly individualized. Depending on the operation and pathology, surveillance may include ultrasound, thyroglobulin testing, thyroid scintigraphy, and endocrine review.
- Clinical review and neck ultrasound
- Thyroglobulin monitoring when appropriate
- Long-term endocrinology and multidisciplinary follow-up
- TSH suppression in selected papillary thyroid cancer patients
Some papillary thyroid cancer patients also benefit from TSH suppression with thyroxine to reduce recurrence risk.
When radioactive iodine is considered
Radioactive iodine is not needed for every thyroid cancer patient. It is considered after total thyroidectomy in selected cases based on pathology, nodal status, recurrence risk, and endocrinology review.
- Low-risk papillary thyroid cancer may not require radioactive iodine
- Higher-risk pathology may benefit from postoperative ablation
- Dosing and timing are coordinated with endocrine and nuclear medicine specialists
- The need for radioactive iodine often cannot be finalized until the postoperative histology is available
This is one reason why the initial operation needs to be planned by a surgeon who is comfortable managing the full range of thyroid cancer disease.
Your thyroid cancer pathway
1. Initial Consultation
Review of imaging, biopsy, symptoms, voice, and likely disease extent.
2. Pre-operative Planning
Surgical mapping of the thyroid, lymph nodes, and any need for additional imaging or team involvement.
3. Expert Surgery
Hemithyroidectomy, total thyroidectomy, and nodal dissection as required for the cancer pattern.
4. Recovery & Follow-up
Review of pathology, calcium status, voice, wound healing, and endocrine management.
5. Long-term Surveillance
Ongoing imaging and blood-based surveillance to detect persistent or recurrent disease early.
Schedule Your Thyroid Cancer Consultation
Don't delay thyroid cancer treatment. Professor Sidhu sees patients across Sydney, Central Coast, and regional NSW. Contact us today to discuss your thyroid cancer surgery options with Sydney's qualified thyroid cancer specialist.
Serving patients from Sydney, North Sydney, Wahroonga, Central Coast, and Coffs Harbour