Waiting 9 Months in Hong Kong, Only 4 Days at HeYou! Hong Kong Resident Crosses Border for Treatment and Recovers

The most routine and healthiest days of the year are often the few days before a health checkup. However, upon receiving the report, many are startled by the words “Thyroid Nodule.” Ms. Qin (pseudonym), a 61-year-old retired worker, was one of them.

In April 2024, Ms. Qin, a Hong Kong resident, returned from Hong Kong to her hometown in Shunde for retirement. During a health checkup at a Shunde hospital, a “thyroid nodule” was discovered on the right side of her neck. After a further needle biopsy, the hospital warned that it could be a malignant nodule.

The thyroid gland is located at the front of the lower neck, consisting of left and right lobes connected by the isthmus, resembling a butterfly. In a normal adult, the thyroid weighs only 15-30 grams, yet it is the largest endocrine gland in the human body. It acts as the body's “engine” for metabolism and the “production factory” for thyroid hormones, which regulate growth, development, and metabolism.

Having just retired, the nodule on this “little butterfly” greatly frightened Ms. Qin. Over the following months, she traveled back and forth between Hong Kong and Shunde multiple times for diagnosis and treatment.

Between late September and early October 2024, she underwent two more needle aspiration biopsies for the thyroid nodule at a hospital in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong. The Hong Kong doctors recommended surgical removal.

“Is surgery the only option for a high-risk thyroid nodule? Will removing the thyroid leave a scar? Is there a treatment that leaves no scar and doesn't require surgery?” Ms. Qin, who enjoys dancing and values her appearance, insisted on a minimally invasive, scarless surgical treatment. However, the Hong Kong hospital's response was a 6-to-9-month wait, which filled her with anxiety.

Long waiting times in public hospitals and high costs in private hospitals are common concerns for some Hong Kong residents. Seeking medical care in mainland China has helped them solve these problems. Eager to receive timely treatment, Ms. Qin, on the recommendation of a friend, returned to Shunde on November 24, 2024, and sought help from Dr. Wang Xiaohua, Chief Physician of the General Surgery Department at HeYou Hospital.

After carefully reviewing Ms. Qin's medical history, Chief Physician Wang Xiaohua promptly performed a needle biopsy on her thyroid nodule. The pathology results the following day confirmed it was a malignant nodule.

“Our fine-needle aspiration for thyroid nodules emphasizes high quality, convenience, and speed, with results available within one day. This precise diagnostic goal also places higher demands on the hospital's medical team, requiring extensive clinical experience and advanced technical skills,” said Chief Physician Wang Xiaohua.

Chief Physician Wang Xiaohua in Surgery | File Photo

To precisely treat the detected lesion, Dr. Wang also developed a personalized treatment plan for Ms. Qin, which finally lifted the heavy burden she had carried for months. On November 26, Ms. Qin was admitted to the hospital. She successfully underwent surgery on November 27 and was discharged three days later. From the initial consultation to the completion of surgical treatment, it took only four days.

“Regarding this thyroid nodule, I visited hospitals in Hong Kong many times without a confirmed diagnosis, and the waiting time for surgery was long. But here at HeYou Hospital, I received a quick diagnosis and prompt treatment in one visit. Dr. Wang and the nurses provided excellent service!” On December 30, one month after her surgery, Ms. Qin returned to HeYou Hospital for a follow-up visit and praised the medical staff.

“I recently even suggested to the Hong Kong Department of Health that medical staff from Tai Po should come to HeYou Hospital in Shunde for training,” Ms. Qin said. She hopes that by sharing her story, more Hong Kong residents retiring in Greater Bay Area cities will learn about this new option for medical care.

Over the past 30 years, the incidence of thyroid cancer in China has nearly tripled. With the widespread use of ultrasound and other imaging examinations and the popularization of thyroid disease screening, the detection rate of thyroid cancer continues to rise. Even nodules as small as 2-3 millimeters can be detected, with a detection rate exceeding 70%.

Although the incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing worldwide, fortunately, its mortality rate has been steadily declining. “Thyroid cancer can be considered the 'most benign cancer.' If detected early, there are multiple treatment options to prevent further deterioration, and the vast majority of surgical treatments for thyroid cancer yield excellent results,” said Dr. Wang Xiaohua.