What is the prognosis for Thyroid Cancer?

The most common types of thyroid cancer are Papillary (about 80%) and Follicular. The prognosis for these is excellent. Most patients are cured with treatment and live normal, healthy lives. It is often called the "good cancer," though any cancer diagnosis is stressful.

How is it treated?

Surgery: This is the main treatment. Either half the thyroid (lobectomy) or the whole thyroid (total thyroidectomy) is removed. Lymph nodes in the neck may also be removed if involved.

Radioactive Iodine (RAI): For higher-risk cases, RAI is used after surgery to destroy any remaining microscopic thyroid cells. Because thyroid cells are the only cells in the body that absorb iodine, this treatment targets the cancer without harming the rest of the body (unlike chemotherapy).

TSH Suppression: You will take thyroid hormone pills (Levothyroxine) to keep your TSH levels low, which prevents cancer recurrence.

What is the follow-up?

You will need lifelong monitoring, usually with:

• Thyroglobulin (Tg) blood test: Tg is a protein made only by thyroid cells. After surgery, your level should be near zero. If it rises, it signals cancer recurrence.
• Neck Ultrasounds: To check for regrowth.

Will I lose my voice?

Hoarseness is a risk of surgery because the nerves to the voice box run right behind the thyroid. In expert hands, permanent voice changes are rare (less than 1-2%).