Main treatments for thyroid cancer
Thyroid cancer is often treatable.
The treatment you have will depend on:
- the size and type of thyroid cancer you have
- if it has spread
- your general health
It will usually include surgery. It may also include hormone therapy, radioactive iodine treatment, targeted medicines, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
The specialist care team looking after you will:
- explain the treatments, benefits and side effects
- work with you to create a treatment plan that's best for you
- help you manage any side effects
You'll have regular check-ups during and after any treatments. You may also have tests and scans.
If you have any symptoms or side effects that you're worried about, talk to your specialists. You do not need to wait for your next check-up.
Surgery
Surgery is the most common treatment for thyroid cancer.
Depending on the type and stage of the cancer, you may have:
- all of your thyroid removed (total thyroidectomy)
- part of your thyroid removed (partial thyroidectomy or lobectomy)
During surgery you may also have some lymph nodes (glands) in your neck removed if your cancer has or might have spread to them.
Hormone therapy
If you've had surgery to remove your thyroid, you usually need to take hormone tablets to replace the hormones your thyroid made.
It can also help stop the cancer coming back.
You may also need to take hormone tablets if you've had part of your thyroid removed.
Radioactive iodine treatment
Radioactive iodine treatment uses radiation to kill cancer cells.
The treatment contains a small amount of radiation that you take as a tablet or drink.
You may have radioactive iodine treatment for thyroid cancer:
- after surgery to kill any cancer cells that may have been left behind or to help stop the cancer coming back
- if the cancer has come back or spread to another part of the body
Targeted medicines
Targeted medicines aim to stop cancer growing.
You may have treatment with targeted medicines for thyroid cancer if:
- other treatments are not an option or are no longer working
- the cancer has spread to another part of the body
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays of radiation to kill cancer cells.
You may have radiotherapy for thyroid cancer if:
- the cancer cannot be removed by surgery
- the cancer has spread to another part of the body
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses medicines to kill cancer cells.
It's not usually used to treat thyroid cancer, but you may have it if the cancer has come back or has spread to another part of your body.
What happens if you've been told your cancer cannot be cured
If you have advanced thyroid cancer it might be very hard to treat. It may not be possible to cure the cancer.
If this is the case, the aim of your treatment will be to limit the cancer and its symptoms, and help you live longer.
Finding out the cancer cannot be cured can be very hard news to take in.
You will be referred to a special team of doctors and nurses called the palliative care team or symptom control team.
They will work with you to help manage your symptoms and make you feel more comfortable.
The clinical nurse specialist or palliative care team can also help you and your loved ones get any support you need.