Thyroid Cancer Treatment: Varieties, Their Functions, and Further Details
Thyroid cancer treatment options vary, each with its own advantages and potential side effects. The choice of treatment depends on factors such as the type and stage of the cancer, the patient's overall health, and personal preferences.
Surgery
Surgery is the most common treatment for thyroid cancers, often providing a cure for localized thyroid cancer. The surgery may involve removing the entire thyroid gland (total thyroidectomy) or just the affected part (lobectomy). In some cases, nearby lymph nodes may also be removed if cancer cells have spread to these structures.
While surgery can be effective, it does carry risks. Temporary or permanent voice hoarseness, difficulty swallowing or breathing due to nerve injury, and surgical complications such as hematoma, laryngeal nerve damage, and infection are possible. After surgery, patients require thyroid hormone therapy for replacement and suppression to prevent regrowth of thyroid tissue.
Radioactive Iodine (RAI) Therapy
RAI therapy is used to target and destroy remaining or metastatic papillary and follicular thyroid cancer cells. It is often used after surgery to ablate residual tissue and help prevent recurrence. However, side effects include reduced salivary gland function, causing dry mouth, oral infections, and dental issues. Additionally, RAI therapy may lose its effectiveness over time due to genetic mutations making cancer cells resistant.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy plays a limited role in thyroid cancer treatment, mainly used for advanced cancers unresponsive to other treatments. Side effects typically resolve once a person finishes treatment but are often less effective in thyroid cancer compared to other types of cancer.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapies, such as RET inhibitors like Selpercatinib, precisely target genetic mutations driving cancer, improving outcomes and quality of life compared to older therapies. However, adverse effects may include hypertension, diarrhea, hand-foot syndrome, proteinuria, and possible long-term drug resistance. These therapies are promising for advanced, recurrent, or radioactive iodine-refractory thyroid cancers but come with higher drug costs and potential for severe side effects impacting quality of life.
External Beam Radiation
External beam radiation is often reserved for cases where surgery is not possible or cancer has spread locally. Risks include damage to surrounding tissues and potential long-term side effects depending on the dose and area.
In summary, surgery remains central due to its curative potential, while RAI therapy complements surgery mainly for differentiated thyroid cancers. Chemotherapy is rarely used. Targeted therapies are promising for advanced or resistant cases but come with trade-offs in side effects and cost. Treatment choice is personalized based on tumor characteristics, patient health, and goals of care.
Advanced treatment centers offer less invasive alternatives like thermal or chemical ablation and emerging options such as transoral thyroid surgery to minimize surgical risks and scarring. It is best for a person to discuss their options with their doctor so that they can make an informed decision about their thyroid cancer treatment.
[1] American Cancer Society. (2021). Surgery for Thyroid Cancer. [2] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Radioactive iodine therapy for thyroid cancer. [3] National Cancer Institute. (2021). Targeted Therapy for Thyroid Cancer. [4] Thyroid.org. (2021). Thyroid Hormone Therapy. [5] Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. (2021). Minimally Invasive Thyroid Surgery.
- Chemotherapy, mainly used for advanced thyroid cancers unresponsive to other treatments, has a limited role in therapy, as side effects are often less effective in thyroid cancer compared to other types.
- Science continues to advance treatments for medical-conditions like thyroid cancer, such as targeted therapies like RET inhibitors, which precisely target genetic mutations driving cancer, providing improved outcomes and quality of life.
- When surgery is not possible or cancer has spread locally, health-and-wellness professionals may opt for external beam radiation to minimize the risk of disease progression, despite the potential risks of damage to surrounding tissues and possible long-term side effects.
