Thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer is cancer of the thyroid gland. The thyroid concentrates iodine and so is extremely sensitive to the effects of various radioactive isotopes of iodine produced by nuclear fission. These radioactive isotopes increase the chances of developing cancer, though thyroid cancer can develop even without any exposure to radioactivity. Some evidence suggests that insufficient or excessive dietary iodine may also increase your risk for thyroid cancer.

Treatment

Although there are several types of thyroid cancer, the treatment is usually the same. The standard treatment includes surgery to remove the thyroid and any infected lymph nodes. People who have had their thyroid gland removed must take thyroid hormone in pill form to replace the hormone that was created by the thyroid. Surgery is generally followed by radioactive iodine therapy.

An alternative treament protocol based on newer research at the Mayo Clinic and USC Keck School of Medicine indicates that radioactive iodine treatments can and should be replaced by TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) suppression therapy in low-risk patients.