How is thyroid cancer treated? — Expert Video

Endocrinologist Dr. R. Michael Tuttle, MD, provides an overview of how thyroid cancer is treated. He notes that some small thyroid cancers may not need immediate treatment and can be carefully monitored. When treatment is needed, surgery is the most common approach, with most patients successfully treated this way. He discusses that for patients at higher risk of the cancer returning (recurrence), radioactive iodine may be recommended after surgery. Some patients may also need thyroid hormone therapy. Dr. Tuttle further emphasizes that for advanced or more aggressive thyroid cancers that do not respond to these standard treatments, newer medicines have become available, with major advances in treatment over the past decade.

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Understanding Thyroid Cancer — Animation

Understanding Thyroid Cancer — Slide Show

Expert Videos

1. What is thyroid cancer, and what causes it?

2. What are the signs and symptoms of thyroid cancer?

3. What are the risk factors for thyroid cancer?

4. How is thyroid cancer diagnosed?

5. How is thyroid cancer staged?

6. How is thyroid cancer treated?

This educational activity has been developed by The THANC (Thyroid, Head & Neck Cancer) Foundation, ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc., and Mechanisms in Medicine Inc.

This activity is supported by independent educational grants from Bayer, Eisai, Lilly, Rigel, THANC Foundation Board of Directors, and The Rosenfield Family.

Thank you to the funders of You And Thyroid Cancer. All content is developed independently by The THANC (Thyroid, Head & Neck Cancer) Foundation, ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc., and Mechanisms in Medicine Inc., in collaboration with an Expert Faculty group. Funders are allowed no influence on the content of You And Thyroid Cancer: An Animated Patient^® Guide to Thyroid Cancer.

Disclaimer: The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor about any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The visuals provided are meant for representation only. No specific brand is being promoted or endorsed.

This website is part of the Animated Patient^® series developed by Mechanisms in Medicine Inc., to provide highly visual formats of learning for patients to improve their understanding, make informed decisions, and partner with their healthcare professionals for optimal outcomes.