What You Need To Know About Thyroid Cancer

This National Cancer Institute (NCI) information has facts about cancer of the thyroid. There are almost 26,000 new cases of thyroid cancer in the U.S. -- 19,190 in women and 6,500 in men -- and an estimated 1,500 people are expected to die of thyroid cancer in 2005. While rare, thyroid cancer is actually one of the few cancers that are becoming more common in the past several years, with a growth rate of 3% per 100,000 people each year.

This section discusses possible causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and followup care. It also has information to help patients cope with thyroid cancer.

Research is increasing what we know about thyroid cancer. Scientists are studying its causes. They are also looking for better ways to detect, diagnose, and treat this disease. Because of research, people with thyroid cancer can look forward to a better quality of life and less chance of dying from the disease.

• Introduction
• The Thyroid
• Understanding Cancer
• Thyroid Cancer: Who's at Risk?
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Staging
• Treatment
• Getting a Second Opinion
• Preparing for Treatment
• Methods of Treatment
• Side Effects of Cancer Treatment
• Surgery
• Radioactive Iodine (I-131) Therapy
• Hormone Treatment
• External Radiation Therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Followup Care
• Support for People with Thyroid Cancer
• The Promise of Cancer Research
• National Cancer Institute Booklets
• National Cancer Institute Information Resources

SOURCE: NIH Publication No. 01-4994