Treatment of thyroid cancer is a combination of methods:
Surgery, radioiodine or radiological therapy, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, if needed - rehabilitation and post-treatment surveillance. Modern methods of thyroid cancer treatment provide good results even at stage 4 of the disease.
Radioiodine therapy of the thyroid gland
Radioiodine therapy is used for papillary and follicular types of cancer. The method of treating thyroid cancer with radioactive iodine is based on the ability of tumor cells to accumulate iodine. This type of treatment is carried out after the complete removal of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy). No other organ in the patient's body does not actively accumulate iodine (except salivary and lacrimal glands, but their ability to absorb iodine is insignificant). Only the remaining thyroid cells (which always remains after the operation in a small amount) and the thyroid tumor cells can concentrate iodine. So this therapy affects only them.
Most of the iodine is excreted from the body with urine, and also partially through saliva, sweat, and feces causing no harm to healthy tissue.
Radioiodine therapy for more than 50 years has been successfully used to treat various diseases of the thyroid gland, including benign goiter.
It is noteworthy that the procedure does not have any significant side effects, such as hair loss.
However, in some patients swelling of the salivary glands can occur and, as a consequence, a decrease in salivation. But just in a couple of days, the glands return to normal functioning, if you regularly use chewing gum and eat something sour (like lemon).
The dosage of radioactive iodine depends on the degree of thyroid disease and is calculated for each patient individually. At low dosage, a patient is not required to stay in the hospital and after the therapy can go home. In cases of treatment with high dosages, a patient is left in a specially equipped room for the period of treatment to prevent the spread of radiation.
The observation period in the hospital can vary from 3 days to 1 week. It depends on the prescribed dosage and the dynamics of the radiation exposure, which are measured daily.
The drug with radioactive iodine is taken dissolved in a glass of water or the form of a capsule under the supervision of a specialist in medical radiology.
Before treatment, it is necessary to exclude from the diet all foods and drinks containing iodine.
At least 4-6 hours before taking the medication and for 2 hours after the patient is forbidden to eat and drink.
Ask the doctor to provide full information about the recommendations for your family members and people from your working environment to avoid exposure.
Treatment after surgery
After surgery one or more of the following tactics are prescribed:
- Medication replacement of calcium deficiency to prevent hypocalcemia.
- The prescription of levothyroxine inhibits the production of the thyroid-stimulating hormone. It is necessary to prevent the development of secondary hypothyroidism and relapse of a tumor.
- Introduction of radioactive iodine.
- Lifetime thyroid hormone replacement therapy
Hypocalcemia is a condition associated with a decrease in the level of calcium in the body. In this case, calcium-containing dietary supplements (vitamin D and calcium preparations) are prescribed along with hormone therapy.
Radiation therapy for thyroid tumors
Radiation therapy is used for undifferentiated forms of thyroid cancer, as well as for squamous cell carcinoma.
Radiation therapy is carried out with the help of special devices (Gamma Knife, CyberKnife) which have a source of ionizing radiation (X-rays). The innovative equipment provides a direct impact exclusively on the area of malignant formation and nearby lymph nodes. This procedure is prescribed both for the treatment of all types of thyroid cancer, for the prevention of relapse, and in some cases also before surgery to shrink the tumor.
It is most often used in combination with other methods of treatment. As an independent method - in advanced cases of cancer, in the presence of metastases or inoperable tumors. Radiation therapy can destroy the remaining cancer cells after removal of the thyroid gland.
The method has disadvantages in the form of damage to healthy tissues, in particular, skin, neck, its vessels, and nerves. Side effects depend on the dose of radiation and the irradiation area. Most often the dryness, pain in the oral cavity and throat, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing occur. The skin in the affected area becomes inflamed and dry.
During radiotherapy, the patient's condition is continuously monitored and, if necessary, the doctor can make adjustments to the treatment.
Patients' Frequently Asked Questions About Thyroid Cancer Treatment
Can thyroid cancer be cured without surgery?
Long-term clinical trials and medical experience of doctors throughout the world showed that conservative therapy is practically ineffective. No drug treatment alone is able to reduce the malignant tumor or make it disappear. To date, there is no alternative to surgical treatment of cancer.
Is it possible to somehow avoid a lifelong intake of hormones?
In cases of surgical intervention and complete removal of the thyroid gland, hormone replacement therapy is unavoidable. Many surgeons now practice minimally invasive organ-preserving techniques, which, if possible, leave the healthy gland cells intact. If after the partial removal of the gland the level of hormones in the blood has changed insignificantly, then additional drugs are not prescribed.
What were new methods of thyroid cancer treatment developed recently??
Among innovative methods of treatment of thyroid cancer of the latest generation, targeted therapy should be mentioned. It is a group of new drugs that specifically target the changes inside cells that cause them to become cancerous. Unlike standard chemotherapy drugs, which work by attacking rapidly growing cells in general, these drugs attack one or more specific targets on cancer cells.
All common types of thyroid cancers can be treated effectively with surgery and radioactive iodine therapy. But for cancers in which these treatments aren’t effective, targeted drugs can be helpful.
How harmful to the body is radiation therapy for thyroid cancer?
Radiation therapy of tumors is performed on modern high-precision CyberKnife and Gamma Knife. These devices allow affecting a precise area of body targeting only cancer cells. The effect on healthy tissues and organs is minimized.
Radioiodine therapy is used only to treat cancer?
Not only. Radioiodine therapy is actively used to treat various diseases of the thyroid gland: thyrotoxicosis, accompanying diffuse toxic goiter, autonomously functioning nodes, and as an additional method of relapse therapy.
Are there any age restrictions for radioiodine therapy?
Age restrictions are absent. It is suitable for children, teenagers and people of older age.
How will radioiodine therapy affect childbearing functions?
Radioiodine therapy has a temporary effect on the reproductive organs function (oppression). During the first two months after treatment, women may suffer the disruption of the menstrual cycle, and men a decreased sperm concentration (oligospermia). The is no danger for future pregnancy. The only restriction is not to plan pregnancy within a year after the end of treatment.
What are the contraindications to radioiodine therapy?
Radioiodine therapy is not performed for patients: in a critical condition, with bone marrow insufficiency, severe kidney and hepatic malfunctioning, acute peptic ulcer, with severe diabetes, with pulmonary tuberculosis in the active phase and during pregnancy.
What should I do to go to the treatment of thyroid cancer abroad, how to choose the best clinic?
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