Fact 9: Variety of Treatment Options
When it comes to battling papillary thyroid cancer, the arsenal is wide-ranging. There are various treatment options, each tailored to the individual’s condition considering the stage of the cancer, the patient’s overall health, age, and personal preferences.
The most common form of treatment for papillary thyroid cancer is surgery. The extent of the surgical procedure largely depends on the size of the tumor and how far the cancer has spread. The surgical procedures can range from a lobectomy, removal of one lobe of the thyroid gland, to a total thyroidectomy, where the entire thyroid gland is removed.
Surgery is often followed by radioactive iodine treatment. This treatment is used to destroy any remaining thyroid tissue, as well as microscopic areas of thyroid cancer that were not removed during surgery. The benefit of this treatment is that it targets thyroid cells specifically, minimizing harm to other cells in the body.
Hormone therapy forms another crucial part of the treatment plan for papillary thyroid cancer. After the removal of the thyroid gland, the body can no longer produce thyroid hormone, which plays vital roles in the body’s metabolism. Therefore, patients need to take a daily hormone replacement pill to maintain normal hormone levels.
In certain cases, external radiation therapy may be utilized. This is especially so if the cancer is not responsive to radioactive iodine treatment. This therapy uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays or protons, to kill cancer cells.
Although chemotherapy is not commonly used for papillary thyroid cancer, it may be recommended in some instances, especially if the cancer is advanced and does not respond to other treatments. Similarly, targeted therapy drugs that focus on specific weaknesses in cancer cells are an emerging treatment option for advanced papillary thyroid cancer.
Understanding the various treatment options available is crucial for patients diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer. It enables them to have informed discussions with their healthcare providers, ultimately leading to personalized treatment plans that best serve their health needs. (9)
