Thyroid Cancer (cont.)
What's new in thyroid cancer research?
The promise of cancer research
Doctors all over the country are conducting many types of clinical trials.
These are research studies in which people take part voluntarily. Studies
include new ways to treat thyroid cancer. Research already has led to advances,
and researchers continue to search for more effective approaches.
Patients who join these studies have the first chance to benefit from
treatments that have shown promise in earlier research. They also make an
important contribution to medical science by helping doctors learn more about
the disease. Although clinical trials may pose some risks, researchers take very
careful steps to protect their patients.
Patients who are interested in being part of a clinical trial should talk
with their doctor. They may want to read Taking Part in Clinical Trials: What
Cancer Patients Need to Know. This NCI booklet describes how research studies
are carried out and explains their possible benefits and risks. NCI's Web site
at http://www.cancer.gov provides general information about clinical trials. It
also offers detailed information about specific ongoing studies of thyroid
cancer by linking to PDQ®, NCI's cancer information database. The Cancer
Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER can answer questions and provide
information from the PDQ database.
Another agency of the Federal Government, the National Institute of Diabetes
and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), conducts a Thyroid Research Program.
NIDDK performs laboratory studies and conducts clinical trials on thyroid
cancer. NIDDK clinical trials are listed in the PDQ database. The Web site
address of the NIDDK is http://www.niddk.nih.gov.
Where can people get more information about thyroid cancer?
National Cancer Institute information resources
You may want more information for yourself, your family, and your doctor. The
following National Cancer Institute (NCI) services are available to help you.
Telephone
Cancer Information Service (CIS)
Provides accurate, up-to-date information on
cancer to patients and their families, health professionals, and the general
public. Information specialists translate the latest scientific information into
understandable language and respond in English, Spanish, or on TTY equipment.
Toll-free: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)
TTY (for deaf and hard of hearing
callers): 1-800-332-8615
Internet
http://www.cancer.gov
NCI's Web site contains comprehensive information about
cancer causes and prevention, screening and diagnosis, treatment and
survivorship; clinical trials; statistics; funding, training, and employment
opportunities; and the Institute and its programs.
- The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones which
are important in the normal regulation of the metabolism of the
body.
- There are four major types of thyroid cancer.
- The cause of thyroid cancer is unknown, but certain
risk factors have been identified.
- The National Cancer Institute recommends that
anyone who received radiation to the head or neck in childhood
be examined by a doctor every 1 to 2 years.
- The most common symptom of thyroid cancer is
a lump, or nodule, that can be felt in the neck.
- The only certain way to tell whether a thyroid
lump is cancer is by examining the thyroid tissue obtained using
a needle or surgery for biopsy.
- Surgery is the most common form of treatment
for thyroid cancer that has not spread to other areas of the
body.
SOURCE: U.S. National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute
Last Editorial Review: 7/26/2007
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