Thyroid Cancer Treatment Options

Although thyroid cancer is a common cancer that cannot be prevented, it is a curable affection and can be treated by using an appropriate treatment. Treatments of thyroid cancer usually include surgeries, radioactive iodine and radiation therapy and depend on the stage and the type of cancers.

A common treatment method used in patients with papillary, follicular or medullary is radiation therapy, a procedure which is used if the patient has a risk of recurrence following surgery alone, such as the type of cancer known as Tall Cell Variant.

What is Thyroid Cancer?

Thyroid cancer is a cancer of the thyroid glands, a butterfly-shaped gland located below the Adam's apple in the neck. Thyroid cancer is fairly common and unfortunately, is growing in numbers. It accounts for about one percent of all cancers in the United States today. The good news is that this type of cancer usually responds well to treatment and many patients can be cured.

Nodules or Bumps in the Neck Should be Checked

People who notice unusual nodules or bumps in their neck should visit a doctor right away in order to find out if the nodules represents a malign or a benign tumor. And, an experienced head and neck surgeon can examine the patient by a simple examination of the neck and also he can settle a proper diagnosis by performing certain laboratory tests which have the role to determine the function of the thyroid gland.

Treatment Options

Treatments for thyroid cancers include various procedures and will depend on the type and stage of the cancer. Moreover, the procedures used to treat thyroid cancer can cure the affection and improve the life of the patient. Statistics have shown that for the most common forms of papillary and papillary follicular thyroid cancer the 5 and 10 year survival rates are in excess of 95%.

If you or a loved one suspect that a bump or nodule might be present in the neck area, it is highly recommended that you consult with a professional thyroid surgeon.