The short answer
Most thyroid cancer is treated with surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid. Radioactive iodine may be used to destroy remaining thyroid cells, and thyroid hormone pills replace the gland's function. Most people do very well.
Surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid is the main treatment.
Radioactive iodine can destroy remaining thyroid or cancer cells.
Thyroid hormone pills replace the hormones the gland made.
Most people with common thyroid cancers do very well.
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The full explanation.
The simple version
Most thyroid cancer is treated with surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid. Depending on the type and stage, radioactive iodine may follow, and thyroid hormone pills replace the gland's function. Most people do very well.
Surgery
Surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid (a thyroidectomy) is the main treatment, sometimes along with nearby lymph nodes if the cancer has spread there.
Surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid is the main treatment.
Radioactive iodine and hormone pills
For certain thyroid cancers, radioactive iodine is used after surgery to destroy any remaining thyroid or cancer cells. After the thyroid is removed, thyroid hormone pills replace the hormones it made and can help keep some cancers from returning.
A good outlook
Most people with common thyroid cancers do very well. Some very small, low-risk cancers may even be watched closely instead of operated on right away. Ask your team about the goals of treatment and any long-term follow-up.
Words to know
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Common questions
▸What is the main treatment?
Surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid is the main treatment for most thyroid cancers, sometimes along with nearby lymph nodes.
▸What is radioactive iodine?
Radioactive iodine is a treatment that thyroid cells absorb. It can destroy any remaining normal thyroid or cancer cells after surgery, for certain types of thyroid cancer.
▸Will I need to take hormone pills?
Yes, usually. After the thyroid is removed, thyroid hormone pills replace the hormones the gland made, and they also help keep some cancers from coming back.
▸Can small cancers be watched?
Some very small, low-risk thyroid cancers may be watched closely with active surveillance instead of immediate surgery, in the right situation.
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