There are several types of thyroid cancer treatment options. Targeted therapy drugs target specific gene changes or blood vessels in the tumor. To determine which of these options will work best, your provider may recommend tests to pinpoint the specific cancer cells. The side effects associated with these treatments depend on which type you choose. However, you should expect a few days of nausea and vomiting and a heightened risk of infections. Depending on the type of thyroid cancer treatment, you can expect a few days of physical and mental discomfort.
Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is a surgical procedure that removes a sample of thyroid tissue. A thin needle is inserted into the thyroid gland and guided by ultrasound imaging. The cells inside the needle are then sent to a laboratory for analysis. Thyroid cancer treatment options depend on your diagnosis and the extent of cancer spread. If your doctor has detected cancer cells in lymph nodes, the treatment will be based on the stage of the cancer.
Treatment options for thyroid cancer include surgery and other treatments. If you have an early-stage cancer, your doctor may recommend a clinical trial that is not yet available. For advanced thyroid cancer, a doctor may recommend a combination of treatments to help manage the symptoms and the cancer. For example, specialized tests look for changes in genes. This treatment option may be better suited for patients with poorly differentiated thyroid cancer. If the tumor is more advanced than the thyroid’s ability to produce iodine, your doctor may recommend a radioactive iodine treatment.
Surgery for thyroid cancer can be complicated. While a surgical procedure can be performed successfully, it may result in some side effects. One of the most common is neck scarring. However, this procedure is not suited for everyone. Surgical treatments can also result in more complications, including an increased risk of infection. This is why not all surgical options are ideal for all patients. However, a robotic procedure may be more suitable for some patients. It requires a small incision near the base of the neck to directly access the gland. Another procedure is endoscopic thyroidectomy, which is a minimally invasive procedure that only requires one small incision. A scope and a video monitor guide the surgeon and reduces the risk of neck scarring.
When choosing a treatment option for thyroid cancer, you should find a doctor with high expertise in treating this disease. MD Anderson has one of the largest thyroid cancer treatment programs in the country. Their physicians are some of the nation’s most experienced. There are several options available to you, so be sure to discuss all your treatment options with your doctor. The most effective treatment option for thyroid cancer is the one that works best for you. It may be the right option for you, depending on your symptoms and the type of treatment you’re receiving.
A total thyroidectomy is the most common type of thyroid cancer treatment. The operation removes the entire gland and lymph nodes in the neck/chest area. However, it is rarely recommended for anaplastic thyroid cancer. Surgery requires a patient to take thyroid hormone replacement pills for the rest of their lives. However, you should seek a second opinion if you are not satisfied with the results of one treatment. Also, be sure to ask your doctor about clinical trials and lobectomy or near-total thyroidectomy, also known as a subtotal thyroidectomy.
