Treatments for thyroid cancer
Last medical review:
When you have thyroid cancer, your healthcare team creates a treatment plan just for you. The plan is based on your health and specific information about the cancer. What you want is also important when planning treatment. When deciding which treatments to offer for thyroid cancer, your healthcare team will consider:
- the type of thyroid cancer
- the stage
- the risk group
- possible side effects
- your age
- your overall health
- any medical problems you have
- your lifestyle and what you prefer or want
Surgery and hormone therapy are the main treatments for thyroid cancer. Radiation therapy, targeted therapy and chemotherapy may also be used.
Treatments for papillary thyroid cancer
Treatments for papillary thyroid cancer (papillary carcinoma) include surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy and targeted therapy.
Treatments for follicular thyroid cancer
Follicular thyroid cancer (follicular carcinoma) can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy and targeted therapy.
Treatments for anaplastic thyroid cancer
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (anaplastic carcinoma) can be treated with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and surgery.
Treatments for medullary thyroid cancer
Medullary thyroid cancer can be treated with surgery, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy and chemotherapy.
Surgery for thyroid cancer
Surgery is a medical procedure to examine, remove or repair tissue. Thyroid cancer is usually treated with surgery.
Hormone therapy for thyroid cancer
Hormone therapy affects hormones that cancer cells need to grow. Thyroid cancer is usually treated with hormone therapy.
Radiation therapy for thyroid cancer
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. Thyroid cancer is sometimes treated with radiation therapy.
Targeted therapy for thyroid cancer
Targeted therapy uses drugs to target specific molecules on cancer cells. Thyroid cancer is sometimes treated with targeted therapy.
Chemotherapy for thyroid cancer
Chemotherapy uses anticancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. Thyroid cancer is sometimes treated with chemotherapy.
Follow-up after treatment for thyroid cancer
Follow-up is an important part of care for thyroid cancer. It often involves regular tests and visits with the healthcare team.