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Thyroid Cancer
Understanding Your Diagnosis Deciding on Treatment Managing Side Effects Cancer FAQs Advanced Reading
The thyroid gland is located in the neck - under the Adam's apple and above the collarbone. Cancer of the thyroid occurs more often in younger adults.
Overview
Malignant thyroid tumors are rare. They usually appear as small growths, or nodules, within the thyroid gland.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
If you have a suspicious lump on your thyroid, your doctor will most likely want you to have a biopsy. During a biopsy, your doctor uses a very fine needle to remove a small piece of tissue from your neck to check it for cancer.
Deciding on Treatment
Each type of treatment for thyroid cancer has a different goal. Depending on the extent of your disease, you may need surgery, radioactive iodine therapy, hormone therapy, or a combination of these.
Managing Side Effects
Your treatment will kill cancer cells, but it will also affect healthy cells and tissues, causing side effects. Your doctor or cancer nurse can suggest ways to help prevent or manage these side effects.
Advanced Reading
Learn more about thyroid cancer from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Physician Data Query (PDQ®) for patients. It includes information about prevention, screening, and treatment.
