Thyroid nodule treatment needs to adapt to the “new normal”

  Since the 18th Party Congress, people often hear the term “New Normal” in various information media. The term “New Normal” is mainly used to describe the new situation and new trend of China’s economic and social construction and development, which is different from the previous ones and will continue and evolve in a longer period of time.  In fact, the “new normal” does not only exist in the economic field, but also in politics, legal system, education …… and many other fields.  The “new normal” is the inevitable result of reform and development. Reform can not stop, development can not stop, the “new normal” will continue to emerge …….  In the medical field of innovative practices, it is not difficult to find that the “new normal” has sprouted or emerged in many disciplines and professions. Thermal ablation, a recent major frontier technology, is introducing a “new normal” in the treatment of thyroid nodules.  There are several reasons for this theory. First, ablative thyroid nodule treatment technology has a real and large patient demand base. As a new type of treatment, it must be supported by a real, not fictitious, objective, not subjective medical market. In the past, when surgical excision was almost the only treatment for thyroid nodules, many patients were faced with the unfavorable situation of large surgical trauma, scarring of the neck, failure to preserve thyroid function and serious complications, despite their worries and reluctance, but they had no other choice! The ablation treatment can also cure the nodule premise, its minor trauma, no scars, retain thyroid function, and lymph node immune function is not damaged and other significant advantages in favor of the physical and mental interests of patients in just a few years that has quickly conquered the hearts of patients, to the taste of patients. The market function has the characteristics of natural purification, elimination of the inferior and selection of the best is the law of the market. Whoever has a problem with the market law, the problem will haunt him.  Secondly, thyroid nodule thermal ablation treatment technology is supported by scientific theory and technical guidelines. Thermal coagulation can cause irreversible necrosis of cells and tissues, and malignant tumor cells are more sensitive to heat than normal tissue cells, which is a fact that has been scientifically proven. Thermal ablation has long been clinically recognized and accepted for the treatment of liver cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer and other tumors. Moreover, pioneers at home and abroad have confirmed through tens of thousands of clinical cases over ten years (ablation of thyroid nodules started in 2001 abroad and 2005 in China) that thermal ablation can effectively and safely treat benign and malignant thyroid nodules. The minimally invasive advantages of thermal ablation and the protection of natural thyroid function have long been enjoyed and sought after by patients, so why are there still many murmurs questioning, denying and blocking thermal ablation of thyroid nodules? Not to mention that how many people in the medical community who hold such an attitude are fully aware of or have personally practiced this new technology? Therefore, in the current situation, whether from respecting the objective law of medical development, or responding to the national requirements of medical innovation and development, or scientifically protecting the interests of patients with thyroid nodules, we should allow the existence and development of new technical means other than surgical resection, which is the “new normal” of innovation and development in the medical field. This is the “new normal” of innovation in the medical field. Innovation is the first driving force to lead the development! From a theoretical point of view, the “new normal” helps the medical profession to deepen its understanding of the evolution of thyroid nodule therapeutics, and helps patients to understand and cooperate with the medical profession in exploring and researching new treatment methods; from a practical point of view, it helps to transform the philosophy and treatment methods of thyroid nodules, and helps doctors of related disciplines to treat thyroid nodules. From a practical point of view, it will help to transform the concept and treatment of thyroid nodules, and to improve and update the ability of doctors in related disciplines to treat thyroid nodules. More than any other profession, physicians need lifelong learning and constant updating.  Although these 10 years are not much in the history of medical development, the speed of development of thermal ablation of thyroid nodules, the progress of engineering technology, the acceptance of patients, and the rapid bridging of multidisciplinary differences over these 10 years are all very impressive. There are even problems of thyroid nodule treatment that originally needed to be solved by surgery, and patients have turned to seek minimally invasive ablative treatment on their own initiative. The Department of Interventional Ultrasound, Department of Interventional Radiology, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Oncology, Department of Thyroid Surgery, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Endocrinology and Department of Pediatrics are actively engaged in the “prosperity” of thyroid nodule ablation. Manufacturers of microwave ablation, radiofrequency ablation, laser ablation engineering technology and product development and manufacturing are scrambling to adjust their development strategies and focus their efforts on thyroid nodule ablation equipment and needles. Therefore, it is not an exaggeration to say that thermal ablation technology has brought thyroid nodule treatment into a “new normal” that patients, hospitals and companies all agree on.  Entering the new normal objectively requires people to adapt to the new normal. Thyroid nodule ablation treatment is a new thing in the medical field, and its development process will certainly experience several rounds of power and resistance, smooth and tortuous alternation. Inertia and inertia in thinking are often the root cause of those who oppose or hinder new things, without a fundamental change in attitude people will be stagnant in the old “normal”. The “old normal” has in fact become the “new normal”, and any “normal” will gradually become obsolete in the face of the iron law of unstoppable development, gradually evolving into The “new normal” will gradually evolve into a “new normal” and then be replaced by a newer normal. Therefore, taking the initiative to adapt to the new normal and leading the new normal forward is not only conforming to the law, but also will promote the development of innovation more smoothly and smoothly, more rapidly and efficiently.  In 2005, the ablation treatment of thyroid nodules in China started with only one unit in Changzheng Hospital, which was a single unit with a lot of resistance. In 2008, the number of hospitals increased to 4, and although there were applause and supporters, the opposition was more prominent. However, in 2010, more than ten hospitals in China have introduced and carried out this technology, and after 2013, the number of hospitals carrying out this treatment has mushroomed and rapidly expanded to nearly one hundred, and now thyroid nodule ablation treatment has gradually become popular in China, and its influence has spread to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Korea, Japan and other Chinese The impact has spread to Taiwan, Hong Kong, as well as the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Korea, Japan and other Chinese communities. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that in the process of adapting to and leading the new normal in the economic field, it is crucial to maintain strategic determination, to respond to the situation and to study in depth the measures and methods that work. Aren’t President Xi’s words also the principle of action and the direction of task for those of us who are engaged in medical innovation?  After adapting to the “new normal”, we still need to deepen our understanding and practice, discover and explore new problems, and find measures and methods to solve new problems. At present, although the technology, methods and procedures of thermal ablation of thyroid nodules have been solved, the indications and contraindications have been recognized, and the assessment of efficacy and risk prevention and management have been experienced, there are still many scientific issues to be discussed in depth, such as what is the biological effect of microwave and radiofrequency in thyroid nodules? How is the necrotic area removed after ablation? Is it necessary to take endocrine suppressive therapy after ablation of malignant nodules or not? The “new normal” should not become a static norm, but must be developed and improved. For this reason, it is necessary to frequently revisit President Xi Jinping’s speech, that is, to adhere to the problem-oriented approach, to grasp the real problems, to propose real initiatives, and to put the quality of problem-solving solutions in the first place, so that this new minimally invasive treatment technology can be developed and perfected successfully, and become a new medical technology with “roots, heart and sky”. Let us pave our way forward with the character of “generosity and reliability” for all disciplines involved in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules.