Dr. Radu Mihai, endocrinology surgeon at Oxford: "It is expected that half of adults will have thyroid nodules on ultrasound, but most are benign"

Thyroid and endocrine gland conditions are increasingly diagnosed, but not every nodule signifies cancer, and not every diagnosis necessitates surgery. Dr. Radu Mihai, a leading endocrinology surgeon at Oxford University Hospitals and SANADOR Hospital, emphasizes that significant transformations are occurring in endocrine surgery.

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Yes, certainly there is technical equipment and access to technology in Romania similar to other countries.

Mihai, who is also a former president of the British Association of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgeons, spoke about these changes in an interview. He highlighted technological advancements that protect patients' voices during surgery and ongoing discussions regarding the extent of tissue removal for thyroid cancer. He explained that while thyroid nodules are common, expected in about half of adults upon ultrasound, the majority are benign and do not require intervention.

Addressing the accessibility of advanced medical technology, Mihai noted variations worldwide. He mentioned a device for monitoring vocal cord function during surgery, which has become standard in the UK and Germany but is only beginning to be adopted in Romania. Similarly, a new technology for verifying parathyroid gland function during surgery is available in some European centers but is not yet widely discussed or implemented in Romania.

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So all over the world there are different degrees of access to technologies. The standard is defined not only by what technology you can use, but also by what decisions you have and what final result is obtained.

Despite these technological disparities, Mihai stressed that the standard of care is defined not only by technology but also by clinical decisions and patient outcomes. He expressed his eagerness to return to Romania and contribute to the field, acknowledging that collaboration among specialists remains a significant challenge within the Romanian healthcare system.

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But, indeed, I return home with great joy and it seems to me...