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Macmillan and Cancerbackup merged in 2008. Together we provide free, high quality information for people affected by cancer through our publications, website and phone service. Find out more|.
Find out how we produce our information|
The main treatments for thyroid cancer are surgery|, thyroid hormones|, radioactive iodine| and radiotherapy|. Most types of thyroid cancer can usually be treated very successfully and many people are cured.
These can be given alone or in combination. Chemotherapy| is sometimes used to treat advanced thyroid cancer, or if the cancer comes back after treatment.
In most hospitals a team of specialists will decide the treatment that is best for you. This multidisciplinary team (MDT) includes:
There may also be a number of other healthcare professionals such as a:
Together they can advise you on the best course of action and plan your treatment, taking into account a number of factors including your age, general health, the cancer type| and stage|.
If two treatments are equally effective for your type and stage of cancer – for example, surgery or radiotherapy – your doctors may offer you a choice of treatments. Sometimes people find it very hard to make a decision. If you are asked to make a choice, make sure that you have enough information about the different treatment options, what is involved and the side effects you might have, so that you can decide what the right treatment is for you.
Remember to ask questions about any aspects you don’t understand or feel worried about. You may find it helpful to discuss the benefits and disadvantages of each option with your doctor, specialist nurse, or with our cancer support specialists|.
Usually your multidisciplinary team will use national treatment guidelines to decide on the most suitable treatment for you. Even so, you may want another medical opinion. Either your specialist, or your GP, will be willing to refer you to another specialist for a second opinion, if you feel it will be helpful.
Getting a second opinion may cause a delay in the start of your treatment, so you and your doctor need to be confident that it will give you useful information.
If you go for a second opinion, it may be a good idea to take a relative or friend with you, and to have a list of questions ready so that you can make sure your concerns are covered during the discussion.
Before you have any treatment, your doctor will explain its aims to you. They will usually ask you to sign a form saying that you give your permission (consent) for the hospital staff to give you the treatment. No medical treatment can be given without your consent, and before you are asked to sign the form you should have been given full information about:
If you don’t understand what you’ve been told, let the staff know straight away so that they can explain again. Some cancer treatments are complex, so it’s not unusual for people to need repeated explanations.
It’s a good idea to have a relative or friend with you when the treatment is explained, to help you remember the discussion more fully. You may also find it useful to write down a list of questions before your appointment.
People often feel that hospital staff are too busy to answer their questions, but it’s important to be aware of how the treatment is likely to affect you. The staff should be willing to make time for your questions.
You can always ask for more time if you feel that you can’t make a decision when it’s first explained to you.
You are also free to choose not to have the treatment. The staff can explain what may happen if you do not have it. It’s essential to tell a doctor or the nurse in charge, so they can record your decision in your medical notes. You don’t have to give a reason for not wanting to have treatment, but it is helpful to let the staff know your concerns so that they can give you the best advice.
Many people are frightened of having cancer treatments, because of the side effects that can occur. Some people ask what would happen if they did not have any treatment.
Although many treatments can cause side effects, these can often be controlled well with medicines.
Treatment can be given for different reasons and the potential benefits will vary depending upon the individual situation. Treatment will be able to cure thyroid cancer for many people.
If the cancer is at an advanced stage, treatment may still be able to cure it, but it may only be able to control it, leading to an improvement in symptoms and a better quality of life. For some people, treatment may have no effect upon the cancer and they may get the side effects without any of the benefit.
If you have been offered treatment that aims to cure your cancer, deciding whether to accept the treatment may not be difficult.
However, if a cure is not possible and the treatment is being given to control the cancer for a period of time, it may be more difficult to decide whether to go ahead. Making decisions about treatment in these circumstances is always difficult, and you may need to discuss in detail with your doctor whether you wish to have treatment.
If you choose not to, you can still be given supportive (palliative) care, which uses medicines to control any symptoms.
For answers, support or just a chat, call the Macmillan Support Line free (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm)
If you have any questions about cancer, need support or just want someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.