Why Wait to Treat Thyroid Cancer?

You’ve been diagnosed with thyroid cancer and left wondering “What do I do now?” Think of your cancer as a set of worn out brakes on your car. A mechanic may tell you that you can wait a thousand more miles before needing to replace them. But waiting is likely to make the problem worse. So why not stop and fix today what could become dangerous later down the road? Read on to learn about your treatment options.

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Your Treatment Options

Watch and Wait

Some research hospitals may enroll patients in a clinical research study in which patients do not receive any treatment or surgery. This is not the standard of care in many institutions and depends on your situation, your ability to comply with regular follow-ups and the resources available in your community. Make sure this option is right for you before making your decision.

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Surgery

Removal of part or all of the thyroid gland may be necessary to remove the suspected cancer. Thyroid cancer cells are microscopic (very small) and may not be completely removed by surgery. You need to participate in the decision making to choose what is right for you, to make an informed decision.

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Surgery + Radioactive Iodine-131

Radioactive iodine is administered by mouth in either liquid or capsule form. I-131 treats thyroid cancer (except medullary and anaplastic) and minimizes the potential for any remaining or “escaped” thyroid cells from becoming more aggressive and unresponsive to later treatment.

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Your Resources

Looking for more information? Select an option below that best relates to your situation.

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