Clinical trials play an important role in improving cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. For some patients, taking part may offer access to new therapies that are not yet widely available. Your care team can help determine whether a clinical trial may be an option and explain what participation involves.
What is Thyroid Cancer?
Thyroid cancer affects the thyroid gland, a small gland at the base of the neck that helps regulate hormones. It develops when thyroid cells begin to change and grow in ways they shouldn’t. Over time, these cells can create a growth called a nodule.
Thyroid cancer can affect adults of any age, but it occurs most often in women. Because thyroid nodules are common and most are not cancerous, being told that one needs further testing can raise understandable questions. Specialists at LifeBridge Health’s cancer centers can help answer those questions and support you through diagnosis and treatment.
Thyroid Cancer Symptoms
Many thyroid cancers do not cause symptoms right away. When they do appear, symptoms may include:
- A lump or swelling in the neck
- Hoarseness or voice changes
- Trouble swallowing
- A persistent cough not related to illness
- Neck or throat discomfort
How Thyroid Cancer is Diagnosed
When a thyroid nodule or symptom raises concern, your care team uses several tests to confirm a diagnosis and plan next steps.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of the thyroid. These images help identify nodules and show whether they have features that need closer evaluation.
Blood Tests
Blood tests measure thyroid hormone levels and help rule out other causes of symptoms.
Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy
Your provider uses a thin needle to collect a small sample from the thyroid nodule. A pathologist examines the cells to determine whether cancer is present.
Imaging
If testing confirms cancer, providers may order additional imaging, such as CT scans or radioactive iodine scans, to check whether the cancer has spread.
Thyroid Cancer Treatment Options
Treatment decisions depend on the type of thyroid cancer, how advanced it is and your overall health. Your care team uses this information to recommend options that support both effective treatment and quality of life.
Surgery
Surgery is the main treatment for most thyroid cancers. It may involve removal of part of the thyroid (lobectomy), the entire gland (thyroidectomy) and affected lymph nodes, if necessary.
Radioactive Iodine Therapy
For certain thyroid cancers, radioactive iodine can help destroy remaining thyroid tissue or cancer cells after surgery.
Thyroid Hormone Therapy
Daily thyroid hormone medication replaces hormones your body can no longer make and helps reduce the chance of recurrence.
Targeted Therapy
Some thyroid cancers respond to medicines that focus on the specific parts of cancer cells that help them grow. This approach helps limit damage to healthy tissue.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to target and destroy cancer cells. It may be used for advanced or recurrent thyroid cancers when other treatments are not effective.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses medication to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. It may be considered in advanced cases.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is not routinely used for thyroid cancer, but it may be considered in select advanced cases to help the immune system target cancer cells.
Clinical Trials
Supportive Services
When you receive cancer care at LifeBridge Health, you have access to supportive services like counseling, integrative therapies and support groups. These resources are designed to help patients care for their physical and emotional well‑being throughout treatment and beyond.