Some types of thyroid cancer grow slowly. Sometimes treatment is not needed or can be delayed. The doctor will watch for signs that the cancer is progressing.
The treatment plan will often include a combination of methods. It is based on the type of cancer, outlook, the person's age, and health.
When needed, the main treatment is to remove the thyroid gland. If cancer is in early stages or is not aggressive, only part of the thyroid will need to be removed. If the entire gland is removed, daily pills will be needed for a lifetime. Other treatment can help to prevent the cancer from spreading or coming back. Comfort measures can be used if cancer is in advanced stages.
Most types of thyroid cancer have a good outlook when treated. Anaplastic thyroid cancer spreads fast and is hard to treat. Almost all deaths happen within the first year of diagnosis.
Thyroid cancer treatment includes:
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials help to find new treatment options. There are a number of clinical trials underway around the world. The doctor can discuss enrolling in one. More information about clinical trials is found at the US National Institutes of Health website.
References
Anaplastic thyroid cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/anaplastic-thyroid-cancer. Accessed April 21, 2022.
Follicular thyroid cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/results?q=thyroid+follicular+cancer. Accessed April 21, 2022.
General information about thyroid cancer. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/thyroid/patient/thyroid-treatment-pdq. Updated Accessed April 21, 2022.
Huang J, Harris EJ, et al. Treatment of aggressive thyroid cancer. Surg Pathol Clin. 2019;12(4):943-950.
Medullary thyroid cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/medullary-thyroid-cancer. Accessed April 21, 2022.
Papillary thyroid cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/papillary-thyroid-cancer. Accessed April 21, 2022.
Treating thyroid cancer. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/thyroid-cancer/treating.html. Accessed April 21, 2022.
Thyroid cancer (papillary and follicular). American Thyroid Association website. Available at: https://www.thyroid.org/thyroid-cancer. Accessed April 21, 2022.
Thyroid cancers. Merck Professional Version website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/endocrine-and-metabolic-disorders/thyroid-disorders/thyroid-cancers. Accessed April 21, 2022.
Thyroid cancer treatment (adult). National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/thyroid/patient/thyroid-treatment-pdq#section/%5F67. Accessed April 21, 2022.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Mohei Abouzied, MD, FACP
- Update Date: 04/21/2022