How can I choose the best treatment of thyroid cancer?
Determination of the best treatment of thyroid cancer will probably require a detailed evaluation of your overall health and the stages of thyroid cancer you are experiencing. In most cases, surgery is used to remove cancer tissue and thyroid gland components. If you undergo thyroid surgery, the physician may recommend removal of nearby lymph nodes and treatment of thyroid hormones is usually necessary as soon as the operation is completed. In addition, radiation therapy and chemotherapy can be used as part of the thyroid cancer treatment plan.
While your case may be unique, surgery is usually a preferred treatment of thyroid cancer. If you need treatment of thyroid cancer, the physician may recommend surgery to remove cancer and thyroid tissue. The most common is that the thyroid cancer surgeon removes all the patient's thyroid glands, but this is not always. Depending on your unique health condition, the Odstr mayAnit only part of the thyroid glands.
Since it is possible for nearby lymph nodes to be affected by thyroid cancer, your surgeon can also recommend removing the lymph nodes in the neck. If your doctor decides to remove lymph nodes, they will usually have a biopsy after removal. This means that they will have them explored for cancer cells.
Sometimes treatment of thyroid cancer comes in the form of a drug. After surgery for this type of cancer, you will probably need to take hormonal drugs for thyroid gland to replace the normal production of your thyroid hormones and block the release of hormone capable of stimulating cancer cells that remain after surgery. This hormone is called the thyroid stimulating hormone and is produced by pituitary gland. You will probably need to take these medicines for the rest of your life.
Chemotherapy and RadiačTherapy may also prove to be useful for Yroid cancer. Chemotherapy includes the use of drugs, administered intravenously or orally, which destroys cancer cells and radiation therapy involves the use of radioactive iodine or external treatment. In addition to cancer cells, the treatment of radioactive iodine kills any remaining thyroid cells. External radiation therapy includes the use of a machine for direct destructive radiation on cancer cells.
Unfortunately, all types of thyroid cancer treatment are associated with risks and side effects such as nausea, pain and bleeding. Choosing the best treatment usually includes the choice of treatment that is most effective. The potential for side effects may be a secondary consideration.