Thyroid Cancer Therapy

Thyroid cancer attacks the cells of the thyroid. The thyroid, located at the base of the neck, produces hormones that help the body's heart rate, blood pressure and temperature. The thyroid can also help control weight. According to the Mayo Clinic, about 37,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with thyroid cancer each year. Thyroid cancer treatments range from surgery to hormone treatments.

Surgery

• Surgery to treat thyroid cancer is called thyroidectomy and will remove all or most of the thyroid. A thyroidectomy is performed through an incision at the base of the neck. Enlarged lymph nodes may also be removed during surgery and checked for cancer.

Iodine

• In large doses, radioactive iodine is often used for thyroid cancer treatment. Radioactive iodine is also used after thyroid cancer surgery to help remove any leftover thyroid tissue. Radioactive iodine is taken in capsule or liquid form.

Radiation

• External beam radiation therapy fights thyroid cancer externally. This form of radiation treatment uses high-energy beams that concentrate on specific spots of the body. One external beam radiation therapy treatment last for only a few minutes, but treatments must be given for several consecutive days.

Chemotherapy

• Chemotherapy injects chemicals into the body to treat thyroid cancer. The chemicals are inserted into the body through a vein and can easily and quickly kill cancer throughout the body.

Hormone Therapy

• Hormone therapy is usually given after surgery. Levothyroxine, given during hormone therapy, helps supply hormones normally made by the thyroid. Levothyroxine also limits thyroid-stimulating hormones that may stimulate thyroid cancer cells from growing.