When should a goitre be removed?

Goiter: Small goiters usually do not require surgical removal. They are usually treated medically by either suppressing the activity of the thyroid gland with medication. Unusually, if medical therapy is ineffective or when the goiter is large enough to cause an adverse effect on the surrounding organs usually the windpipe (trachea), surgery to remove the goiter is considered.

CA or symptoms: 1) if cancer is likely - usually determined by fine needle biospy. 2) if you are hyperthyroid (too much thyroid hormone) - thyroidectomy is one option. 3) symptoms: if you are having trouble swallowing, breathing, or it is big enough to cause major cosmetic issues, 4) if it is substernal (behind the breast bone).