Treatment is essentially surgical; the whole gland is removed, together with any associated glands with papillary cancer; some tissue may safely be left in surgical treatment of the follicular form. Any stray cancer cells are mopped up by a course of radioactive iodine a few weeks after the surgery and before thyroid replacement has been started. It is considered good practice to prevent thyroid stimulating, as by the TSH, to prevent occurrence; so thyroid replacement ensures the TSH is kept very low.
A physical examination can reveal a thyroid mass or nodule (usually in the lower part of the front of the neck), or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.
Tests that indicate thyroid cancer:
Thyroid Biopsy showing anaplastic, follicular, medullary or papillary cancer cells
Ultrasound of the thyroid showing a nodule
Thyroid Scan showing cold nodule (a nodule that does not light up on scan)
Laryngoscopy showing paralysed vocal cords
Elevated serum calcitonin (for medullary cancer) or serum thyroglobulin (for papillary or follicular cancer)
This disease may also alter the results of the following tests: TSH, T4 and T3.
People with thyroid cancer often want to take an active part in making decisions about their medical care. They want to learn all they can about their disease and their treatment choices. However, the shock and stress that people may feel after a diagnosis of cancer can make it hard for them to think of everything they want to ask the doctor. It often helps to make a list of questions before an appointment. To help remember what the doctor says, patients may take notes or ask whether they may use a tape recorder. Some also want to have a family member or friend with them when they talk to the doctor—to take part in the discussion, to take notes, or just to listen.
The doctor may refer patients to a specialist (oncologists) who specialize in treating cancer, or patients may ask for a referral. Specialists who treat thyroid cancer include surgeons, endocrinologists, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists. Treatment generally begins within a few weeks after the diagnosis. There will be time for patients to talk with the doctor about treatment choices, get a second opinion, and learn more about thyroid cancer.
The following are some questions you may want to ask your doctor before treatment begins:
What type of thyroid cancer do I have?
Has the cancer spread? What is the stage of the disease?
Do I need any more tests to check for spread of the disease?
What are my treatment choices? Which do you recommend for me? Why?
What are the benefits of each kind of treatment?
What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment?
How will the treatment affect my normal activities?
Would a clinical trial (research study) be appropriate for me? Can you help me find one?