Symptoms & Diagnosis
You may be at higher risk of thyroid cancer if you’ve had radiation therapy in the head, neck or throat. Women are more likely to get thyroid cancer than men and this cancer is also more common in people younger than 55.
One of the most common signs of thyroid cancer is a lump at the base of your throat. Thyroid cancer can also feel like or lead to:
- Hoarseness or difficulty swallowing
- Persistent cough
- Persistent throat or neck pain
- Trouble breathing
You know your body best, and if you think you are feeling any thyroid cancer symptoms, reach out to your doctor so we can learn more about what might be causing them.
We use different tests and screenings to diagnose thyroid cancer. Your care team conducts a thorough health history and physical exam, runs blood tests, and looks at your thyroid using a CT scan or ultrasound. We also gather tissue samples (biopsies) to confirm a diagnosis and learn more about your tumor. If these exams are abnormal, we refer you for a cancer consultation with an oncologist who has experience treating thyroid cancer. This expert reviews your test results and medical history to learn more about your diagnosis and form a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
We know learning you have thyroid cancer can feel scary. That’s why we are committed to seeing you for a cancer consultation as quickly as possible — often within 48 hours — after your diagnosis so we can discuss treatment options, order additional tests and address any questions without delay.
Treatments
No two thyroid cancers are the same. You deserve a personalized care plan tailored to your needs and the stage of your thyroid cancer. Each week, the Cancer Care team convenes a tumor board that brings together experts from across disciplines to collaborate on customized care plans for you. This collaboration has one common goal — to make sure you get the best possible care. Our multidisciplinary team of board-certified, fellowship-trained specialists, including endocrinologists, nuclear radiologists, thoracic surgeons and surgical, radiation and medical oncologists, is here to care for you through every part of your treatment.
Surgery
Surgical removal of your thyroid (thyroidectomy) is the first-line treatment for all types of thyroid cancer. Depending on the stage of your cancer, we may also remove some of your lymph glands. After surgery, we work with you on thyroid replacement therapy to keep your hormone levels where they should be.
We may recommend other treatment options alongside your surgery:
- Radioactive iodine is a form of internal radiation therapy that destroys any cancer cells left behind after your surgery.
- Thyroid hormone therapy stops your pituitary gland’s production of thyroid-stimulating hormone, which can cause a recurrence of some types of thyroid cancer.
- Chemotherapy and targeted therapy use tailored anticancer drugs to treat rare forms of thyroid cancer.
Clinical Trials
We are always looking for the next opportunity to improve detection, ease treatment and find better cures for your thyroid cancer. That’s why we collaborate with other medical centers and the National Cancer Institute on clinical trials including new ways to use radioiodine, chemotherapy and targeted therapy to treat thyroid cancer.
If you’re interested in participating in this leading-edge research, talk to your care team to find a study that’s right for you.
Cancer Awards & Accreditations
Our superior Cancer Care has earned us a three-year accreditation as a comprehensive community cancer program from the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). Accreditation ensures that the care you receive right here in your community is high-quality and uses evidence-based, national treatment guidelines.
We’re also an ACS Surgical Quality Partner and committed to the highest surgery standards.
Patients rate us highly, too. Based on PressGaney patient satisfaction surveys, our “likeliness to recommend” score is over 90%, and we’ve won the top patient experience award multiple years in a row.
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Cancer Patient Stories
You are our inspiration. Hear how El Camino Health Cancer Care has helped other patients beat cancer — and how we can support you at every step of the way.
