How is thyroid cancer treated?

Surgery: Surgery is the best way to treat thyroid cancer. Radioactive iodine and some drugs also treat thyroid cancer but these are typically done after surgery.

Surgery first: Typically the entire thyroid is removed (total thyroidectomy) along with any involved lymph nodes in the neck. This is usually followed by radioactive iodine - an outpatient procedure with few side effects. Cure rate for people less that 40 is almost 100%, although some people will need more than one operation. Find an experienced surgeon - it amkes a difference!

Thyroid cancer: Thyroid cancer is one of the most treatable cancers. The treatment is a combination of thyroid surgery, radioactive iodine and thyroid hormone therapy. Some patients need only surgery and other with metastatic disease need all 3 treatments. Some very aggressive tumors fail these 3 treatments and can be treated with "tyrosine kinase inhibitors".

Yes: There are several types of thyroid cancer and the treatments are different. The most common is papillary cancer and it is treated with surgery and thyroid hormone replacement. If there is a high risk of spread then radioactive iodine is given after surgery to 'ablate' any remaining thyroid so that, if there is a recurrence it can be detected early and treated. Then recurrence is unusual.

Absolutely: Typical thyroid cancer in women less than 50 has about a 98% survival rate. Although there are occasional very aggressive thyroid cancers (mostly in older men), most thyroid cancer is easily treated. Make sure you find an experienced thyroid surgeon. Try the american association of endoctine surgeons website.

Thyroid cancer: Thyroid cancer is one of the most treatable cancers. The treatment is a combination of thyroid surgery, radioactive iodine and thyroid hormone therapy.