Thyroid cancer is one of the most treatable types of cancer, especially when found early. Even if it spreads beyond the thyroid, many people do very well with treatment and can live active, full lives.
At Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, our team guides you through every step of your care. Our thyroid specialists use some of the latest science, advanced surgical techniques and supportive services to help you heal and stay informed.
Many people with thyroid cancer need more than one type of treatment. Your care team might recommend surgery, radioactive iodine therapy, hormone therapy, targeted or systemic treatments or a combination of these options.
The type of treatment depends on the type of thyroid cancer:
Other factors also guide treatment, such as cancer stage, if it has spread to lymph nodes or other organs, your age and overall health and findings from imaging, biopsy and molecular testing.
Surgery is often the first treatment for many thyroid cancers. The goal is to remove the cancer while protecting nearby nerves and structures.
Types of surgery include:
Because Banner MD Anderson surgeons specialize in complex thyroid and neck surgeries, you can feel confident you’re receiving precise, quality care.
After surgery, some patients benefit from radioactive iodine therapy. This treatment helps destroy any remaining thyroid tissue or cancer cells.
RAI is most often used for:
How it works:
Side effects are usually mild, such as dry mouth, fatigue or taste changes.
Your care team will let you know whether RAI is recommended based on your pathology, staging and risk factors.
After thyroid surgery, especially total thyroidectomy, you’ll need lifelong thyroid hormone replacement. This medicine is called levothyroxine, a small pill you will take every day.
Levothyroxine:
Because levothyroxine must be very precisely titrated (measured), your endocrinologist will monitor your hormone levels and adjust your dose as needed to achieve optimal health.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells. It is not commonly used for most thyroid cancers but may help for:
What to expect:
Our radiation oncologists use highly targeted approaches to protect healthy tissue while delivering powerful treatment to the cancer.
For cancers that have spread or resist standard treatments, Banner MD Anderson offers advanced therapies, including:
Targeted therapy works by blocking specific genes or proteins that cancer cells use to grow. Therapies might include:
Systemic treatments are medicines that move through your bloodstream to find and destroy cancer cells anywhere in your body. They don’t only target the thyroid area.
Systemic treatments might include:
Molecular testing performed during diagnosis helps determine which therapies may work best for you.
At Banner MD Anderson, you may have access to clinical trials offering new or emerging therapies. Trials are especially valuable for:
Your care team will explain options clearly so you can decide what’s right for you.
Your health is more than test results and treatments. It’s also about how you feel every day. Your care team will help you manage:
Tell your care team about any symptoms you have. There are many ways to help you feel better during treatment and recovery.
A thyroid cancer diagnosis can bring many emotions. Banner MD Anderson offers thyroid cancer support services such as:
You will not face this alone. Our team helps you manage symptoms, understand medications and plan for life after cancer.
Thyroid cancer often requires long-term monitoring. Your follow-up plan may include:
How often you need follow-up appointments depends on what kind of cancer you had and if it was high or low risk.
Most thyroid cancers are highly treatable and have excellent long-term outcomes. Early detection and personalized care further improve outcomes. Your care team will explain what to expect and guide you through your entire journey.
Choosing where to get cancer treatment is one of the most important decisions you will make. At Banner MD Anderson, our team provides expert, compassionate care for every step of your thyroid cancer journey.
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