Thyroid cancer is highly treatable. When you come to Penn Medicine, you have access to experts in every aspect of thyroid cancer care.
Our multispecialty team leads the thyroid cancer care field. Your care team includes endocrinologists, surgeons and other specialists with years of experience in treating thyroid cancers.
We focus on ensuring you get the right treatment at the right time — no more and no less.
Who Treats Thyroid Cancer?
The Penn Medicine thyroid cancer care team includes experts with experience in staging and treating every type of thyroid cancer. Our team includes:
- Endocrinologists, doctors who diagnose and treat problems with glands and organs that produce hormones (endocrine system), including the thyroid
- Endocrine surgeons, surgical specialists who perform operations to remove thyroid tumors
- Nuclear medicine specialists, doctors who use radioactive substances to diagnose and treat thyroid cancer
- Oncologists, experts who diagnose and treat thyroid cancer. These experts may specialize in medicines, radiation or surgery
- Otorhinolaryngologists, specialists who treat problems with the ear, nose and throat (ENT) and parts of the head and neck, including the thyroid
- Pathologists, experts who study tissue samples under a microscope to look for thyroid cancer cells
- Radiologists, doctors who use energy rays or particles to diagnose and treat thyroid cancer
How Is Thyroid Cancer Treated?
Penn Medicine experts use different methods to treat thyroid cancer. The treatment you receive depends on the thyroid cancer type and whether cancer has spread (stage). We work together to diagnose thyroid cancer and use this information to create a personalized treatment program for you. We offer:
Thyroid Cancer Surgery
Surgery is the primary treatment for most thyroid cancers. During an operation, our surgeons remove thyroid tumors and may also remove any affected lymph nodes.
Thyroid surgery types include total and partial thyroidectomy and a variety of lymph node dissections. Learn more about surgery for thyroid cancer.
Radioactive Iodine Therapy
Our experts use radioactive iodine therapy (RAI) when thyroid cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastasized). You may also have RAI after thyroid surgery to ensure no cancer cells remain.
Penn Medicine nuclear medicine specialists perform radioactive iodine therapy with the I-131 isotope (a form of iodine). The American Board of Nuclear Medicine has certified our highly trained experts. Learn more about radioactive iodine therapy for thyroid cancer.
Thyroid Hormone Therapy
We may treat some thyroid cancers with thyroid hormone (levothyroxine) to help block other hormones that help tumors grow. We also use thyroid hormone replacement after total thyroidectomy to replace the hormones your thyroid was making. These hormones help regulate body processes you need to stay healthy.
Our expert endocrinologists work with you to ensure your thyroid hormone levels are right for you. Learn more about hormonal therapy for thyroid cancer.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells in the body. We may use radiation therapy to treat metastatic thyroid cancer or to ensure no cancer cells remain after thyroid cancer surgery.
Penn Medicine radiation oncologists use sophisticated techniques such as external beam radiation therapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). We may also recommend proton therapy for some thyroid cancers. Learn more about radiation therapy for thyroid cancer.
Systemic Therapy
Systemic therapies are drugs used to treat aggressive or metastatic thyroid cancers. Our specialists use chemotherapies (drugs that kill cancer cells) and targeted therapies (drugs that find and fight changes inside cancer cells).
Penn Medicine medical oncologists have led clinical trials that resulted in FDA approval of new drugs to treat thyroid cancer. Our experts continuously seek new ways to fight these cancers. Learn more about systemic therapy for thyroid cancer.
Thyroid Cancer Treatment Recovery Process
After treatment for thyroid cancer, you'll have follow-up exams with our experts. These exams may include:
- Blood tests to monitor thyroid hormone and certain protein levels
- Imaging tests of your neck (ultrasound) to look for suspicious nodules, lumps or lymph nodes
- Radioiodine scan to look for remaining thyroid cancer cells
We offer support services for thyroid cancer during and after treatment to help you heal and recover. These services include education about what to expect after treatment, support groups and counseling.
Thyroid Cancer Treatment: Why Choose Penn Medicine
When you or a loved one face thyroid cancer, you want expert care. People from throughout the Philadelphia region and beyond count on Penn Medicine experts for:
- Comprehensive care: Our specialists collaborate on your care. Each contributes their expertise to creating a personalized treatment plan that meets your unique needs.
- High-volume expertise: Penn Medicine doctors diagnose and treat hundreds of people with thyroid cancer each year. You can be confident your care is in expert hands.
- Clinical knowledge: Penn Medicine specialists are national leaders in thyroid cancer care. We write clinical guidelines for other health professionals and lead clinical trials in thyroid cancer care.
- Leading-edge treatments: We're recognized throughout the world for our industry-leading research in systemic treatments for advanced thyroid cancer.
- Supportive services: Our trained nurse navigators support you during and after thyroid cancer treatment. We ensure you have everything you need to feel your best as you heal and recover.
Make an Appointment
Please call 800-789-7366 or request a callback.