Do you have to have surgery for thyroid nodules?

Not necessarily. If the nodule is malignant, in most cases it will require surgery for removal. If it is benign, usually less than 4 cm, it can be observed and surgery is only recommended if it appears to be affecting the patient’s breathing or swallowing.
Each patient with a thyroid nodule has its own characteristics and needs to be assessed individually for different medical records and cannot be generalised.