[Hürthle cell tumor of the thyroid: which surgical approach?]

Hürthle cell tumors are a very particular thyroid disease. Controversies exist about the most adequate treatment. Radical surgery is sometimes advocated also for benign lesions, due to their malignant potential, but conservative surgery is thought to be adequate in most cases. The Authors' experience consists of 8 Hürthle cell tumors: 7 adenomas and 1 carcinoma. The latter has been treated by total thyroidectomy and the patient died after 6 months. Adenomas have been always treated by conservative procedures and there is no recurrence at a 2-6 year follow-up.