Thyroid Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis

• The evaluation begins with a medical history and a physical examination.
• Blood testing will be performed to evaluate the levels of thyroid hormones.
• Neck ultrasound and other testing methods are often used to visualize the thyroid.
• Ultimately, a thyroid biopsy is the best diagnostic test.
  

Treatment

• Surgical removal of the thyroid gland is the primary therapy for most thyroid cancers. Surgery may then be followed by radioactive iodine treatment to destroy remaining thyroid cancer cells.
  
  Upon removal of the thyroid gland, the body will no longer be able to produce thyroid hormone. Thus, lifelong thyroid hormone medication is necessary for all surgical patients.
• In addition to surgery, treatment may include radiation and chemotherapy.