Treatment Options
Thyroid cancer treatment depends on the type and stage of the cancer. Your doctor will first take a complete medical history and do a physical exam to feel your neck for an enlarged thyroid and for enlarged lymph nodes. If a suspicious lump is felt, your doctor will talk to you about additional tests needed to make a diagnosis.
If the lump can be felt (a half inch or greater in size), a test called a fine needle aspiration biopsy will be performed. This test can usually be done in the clinic. A fine needle is inserted into the nodule to remove cells and fluid for testing. If a biopsy cannot be performed because of the size or position of the nodule, your doctor may order an ultrasound-guided biopsy or a surgical biopsy. Under a microscope, a pathologist will determine whether the cells are cancerous or not.
Next, a series of tests may be done to give your doctor more information about your thyroid cancer. These tests most commonly include blood tests and an ultrasound of the thyroid and neck. Additional tests are occasionally required such as the following:
- radioactive iodine scan
- CT scan
- MRI scan
- PET scan
With the results of these tests, your doctor will discuss treatment options with you, including the ones listed below. If you have any concerns or questions, your doctor will answer them and help you to understand your disease. Treatment for thyroid cancer depends on the type and stage of the cancer. Standard treatment usually involves one or more of the following: