Thyroid cancer is a highly treatable disease, with many effective treatments. Treatment can include surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. Small tumors may not require immediate removal, and many doctors offer patients a wait-and-see approach. Russell explains that her goal is to provide the best possible care for each patient. Read on to learn more about treatment options. Listed below are the main types of treatment available for thyroid cancer. These are often discussed during your initial consultation.
A needle aspiration biopsy may not be sufficient for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer. If the results of this test are inconclusive, surgical biopsy may be necessary. The surgical procedure involves removing the nodule and affected thyroid lobe. Nodule removal alone is not recommended due to the risk of incomplete removal of the tumor. The procedure is done under general anesthesia and may require a hospital stay. To learn more about the treatment options available, talk to your physician today.
Radiation therapy is an option for treating thyroid cancer. High-energy rays are used to kill cancer cells in the thyroid gland. Unlike surgery, radiation is a permanent treatment, and most of the side effects will disappear after the treatment is completed. Chemotherapy is another treatment for thyroid cancer that includes using drugs to kill cancer cells. These drugs are usually given in cycles or rounds. Each round is separated by several weeks. This type of treatment is more effective than the previous ones, but may be painful.
