Thyroid Cancer
Answers to common questions about thyroid cancer.
Questions on this page
What is thyroid cancer?
Thyroid cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the thyroid grow uncontrollably.
Is thyroid cancer common?
Thyroid cancer is one of the more common endocrine cancers.
Does every thyroid nodule mean cancer?
No.
Most thyroid nodules are benign.
What are the common types of thyroid cancer?
Important types include:
- Papillary thyroid cancer
- Follicular thyroid cancer
- Medullary thyroid cancer
- Anaplastic thyroid cancer
Is thyroid cancer curable?
Many thyroid cancers, particularly differentiated thyroid cancers detected early, have excellent outcomes.
Treatment depends on the type, size, spread and risk category.
How is thyroid cancer treated?
Depending on the cancer, treatment may include:
- Surgery
- Radioactive iodine
- Thyroid hormone treatment
- Active surveillance in selected small cancers
- Targeted medicines for selected advanced cancers
Will I need thyroid medicine after thyroid cancer surgery?
If the entire thyroid is removed, thyroid hormone replacement is required.