There's also a treatment called radiofrequency ablation (RFA), which uses heat to make the nodules smaller. Dr. Marius Stan, a Mayo Clinic endocrinologist, says this nonsurgical treatment for shrinking thyroid nodules offers patients a safe and highly successful procedure. He says Mayo Clinic also is researching how RFA may be used to treat thyroid cancer. 

Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (1:10) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

"Radiofrequency ablation, which many people might simply call an RFA, is a way of targeting a specific part of the thyroid, an abnormal part, by delivering high energy into that specific area of the thyroid and destroying it," says Dr. Stan.

He says patients with enlarged, benign thyroid nodules are good candidates for RFA.

"Patients will have an inch and a half to two inches thyroid nodules in diameter that we think are reaching the point where a problem is present or is likely going to be present," Dr. Stan says.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) works by works by using heat to shrink or destroy benign thyroid nodules.

Along with retaining thyroid function, there are other advantages.

"The benefit is that we can do it in the outpatient setting, without the scar on the neck," he says.

Treating thyroid nodules is one application for RFA. Mayo Clinic is one of the leading U.S. institutions to research using RFA for thyroid cancer treatment.

"We hope that this will also be able to destroy a thyroid cancer very specifically, as opposed to a surgical approach that would eliminate part of the thyroid," says Dr. Stan.

Related posts:

• Mayo Clinic Q and A: Understanding thyroid nodules
• Thyroid Disease Can Diminish Quality of Life

The post Mayo Clinic Minute: Treating thyroid nodules without surgery appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I recently read that thyroid issues affect women more often than men. Can you explain what the thyroid is and how it affects my body? Can I do anything to prevent having issues with my thyroid as I age?

ANSWER: The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck. The thyroid has a significant impact on the body because it produces hormones that help regulate many of your body’s functions.

The thyroid gland produces two main hormones: thyroxine, or T4, and triiodothyronine, or T3. These hormones keep your body's metabolism of fats and carbohydrates consistent, aid in maintaining your body's temperature, have an impact on how well your nervous system functions, and can affect your heart rate. A third hormone, known as calcitonin, which aids in controlling the level of calcium in your blood, also is produced by your thyroid gland.

Unfortunately, there are numerous disorders that can affect the thyroid, and women are at higher risk for thyroid issues than men. About 1 in every 8 women will suffer from thyroid illness during her lifetime, according to the American Thyroid Association.

Although it is believed that the development of thyroid illness is connected to a person’s autoimmune system, it is not known why women are more susceptible than men to thyroid disease. Genetics may play a role. Women of any age can experience thyroid issues, although women who have just given birth or are going through menopause are more likely to experience thyroid concerns.

Here is information about four of the most common thyroid conditions:

• Thyroid nodules
  It’s estimated that about half the population in the U.S. will have a thyroid nodule by the time they are 60. Although some may grow to a size where they are visible, frequently these nodules will go undetected until a routine medical examination. Fortunately, most thyroid nodules are benign, but a workup is necessary to determine whether thyroid cancer may be present. Evaluation of a suspected nodule may include a blood test and an ultrasound.

• Hyperthyroidism
  When the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone, a condition known as hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid, can occur. Sometimes benign nodules can cause an increase in hormones. Hyperthyroidism accelerates the body's metabolism, causing a variety of symptoms. These may include unexpected weight loss; increased hunger; a rapid or irregular pulse; sweating; mood issues, such as increased anxiety or irritation; and changes in menstrual cycle. Depending on a person’s age and health history, treatment options may include medication to reduce hormone levels or shrink the thyroid gland. Additionally, some patients may be eligible for surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid.

• Hypothyroidism
  When the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone, hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, can occur. There may not be noticeable symptoms of this condition in the early stages, as symptoms often develop slowly or are attributed to other ailments. For instance, many patients report fatigue and weight gain. As the metabolism continues to slow, however, other symptoms may occur, including constipation, raspy voice, muscular weakness and sensitivity to cold. Treatment for hypothyroidism usually involves taking a thyroid medication known as levothyroxine to return hormone levels to a normal level.

• Hashimoto’s disease
  Hashimoto's disease, or chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when immune system cells lead to the death of the thyroid's hormone-producing cells, resulting in hypothyroidism. Although anyone can develop Hashimoto's disease, it is most common among middle-aged women. The primary treatment is thyroid hormone replacement.

There is no way to prevent thyroid disease. The best course of action is to establish a routine to get annual health physicals and be aware of any symptoms you experience that are unusual. Speak with your health care team about your thyroid health, including the need for tests for thyroid hormone if you are concerned. If you are suspected to have thyroid issues, an evaluation by a thyroid expert or thyroid disorders clinic may be warranted. Overall, most people with thyroid disease can go on to live a normal life. — Compiled by Mayo Clinic staff

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Related Articles 

• Mayo Clinic Q and A: Thyroid nodules, cancer and treatment published 1/17/23
• Consumer Health: What happens if your thyroid is too active or not active enough? published 1/13/23
• Consumer Health: What do you know about the types of thyroid cancer? published 9/30/22
• What you should know about thyroid cancer in adolescents, young adults published 9/20/22
• Consumer Health: What is Hashimoto’s disease? published 1/7/22

The post Mayo Clinic Q and A: Women and thyroid disease appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Cancer is often thought of as a disease that affects older people, and with the median age of a cancer diagnosis at 66 years, it does. But cancer can be diagnosed at any age.

Younger people, including adolescents and young adults between ages 15 and 39 — known as AYAs — also are affected by cancer. Thyroid cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in this age group. Fortunately, treatment is straightforward, and when thyroid cancer is treated early, the survival rates are excellent.

Awareness of thyroid cancer, as well as its symptoms and risk factors, can help adolescents and young adults recognize early warning signs and find prompt treatment during a time of life that is often filled with pivotal changes and life events.

Here's what you should know about thyroid cancer and how it can affect adolescents and young adults:

Should I be concerned about thyroid cancer?

Thyroid cancer has a great prognosis in adolescents and young adults, even though it is often aggressive.

"All cancers are rare in adolescents and young adults, but among those rare cancers, thyroid cancer is the most common in those younger than 30 years of age," says Siobhan Pittock, M.B., B.Ch., a Mayo Clinic pediatric endocrinologist. And it occurs more often in women.

"When thyroid cancer is diagnosed in younger adults, it may be diagnosed at a more advanced stage," says M. Regina Castro, M.D., a Mayo Clinic endocrinologist. "We don't really know why thyroid cancer behaves differently in young adults, but we know that despite the fact that it tends to be more aggressive, the prognosis is still excellent and better than in older adults."

Many people don't experience symptoms of thyroid cancer, which can result in the tumor spreading.

"The most common symptom of thyroid cancer is a lump, nodule or a mass toward the back of the neck — sometimes on the side of the neck where the lymph nodes are found," says Dr. Castro.

However, you may not feel or see the lump. "It is quite common that people don't notice the lump themselves, and it is found when their doctor feels their neck or it shows up on a scan they are having for other reasons," says Dr. Pittock.

If you have a family history of thyroid cancer, talk to your health care professional.

The cause of most thyroid cancers is unknown, but high doses of radiation in early childhood for cancer treatment are associated with increased thyroid cancer risk. Genetic factors and family history also are associated with some types of thyroid cancer.

"Medullary thyroid cancer is more genetic. Typically, we see that type of thyroid cancer in patients who develop the condition as part of what we call MEN syndromes, or multiple endocrine neoplasia, where the medullary thyroid cancer is part of an association of other tumors," says Dr. Castro.

Up to 30% of rare medullary thyroid cancers are associated with genetic syndromes. Having first-degree relatives with thyroid cancer could indicate a genetic mutation in your family, and genetic testing may be recommended.

What should I expect from treatment?

Thyroid cancer treatment is often treated with surgery.

Using surgery as the first-line treatment for thyroid cancer allows your health care professional to remove all or as much of the cancer as possible. It also gives your care team the chance to see if the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, which can happen when cancer is advanced or aggressive.

"Whether the surgery requires a total or partial thyroidectomy will depend on the size of the tumor, findings from imaging, involvement of lymph nodes, and whether or not the contralateral lobe — the side that is not affected — looks entirely normal," says Dr. Castro.

Thanks to better imaging technology, Dr. Castro says it's sometimes possible to determine if thyroid cancer is smaller and likely less aggressive. If this is the case, a partial thyroidectomy, also called a lobectomy, might be recommended. She adds that this might be favorable, as it can preserve some of the thyroid's function.

Radioactive iodine is sometimes used in addition to surgery.

Once your care team determines the stage of your thyroid cancer and its aggressiveness, they might recommend a treatment called radioactive iodine.

Iodine, a mineral found in many foods, is absorbed by the thyroid and used to produce thyroid hormones.

"The most common types of thyroid cancers in adolescents and young adults also absorb iodine. When radioactive iodine is used for the treatment of thyroid cancer, it kills both healthy thyroid and thyroid cancer cells that might be left behind after surgery," says Dr. Pittock.

In rare cases, you may need additional drug therapy or radiation therapy after surgery.

If your thyroid cancer is too aggressive or it has not been successfully cured by surgery and radioactive iodine, you might need additional treatment, but this isn't common for adolescents and young adults.

"Chemotherapy is rarely necessary in young adults with thyroid cancer," says Dr. Castro. "Some patients will need a whole-body scan to determine if they need additional radioactive iodine, but external radiation or chemotherapy is rarely needed."

Depending on the type of thyroid cancer you have, targeted drug therapies can be effective. These drugs focus on specific characteristics of your thyroid cancer cells that help them thrive.

How will thyroid cancer affect me or my future?

You might have to take hormone medication.

Your thyroid regulates many important functions in your body, including metabolism, body temperature and heart rate. After surgery to remove all or part of your thyroid, your body will no longer be able to do this without help from hormone medication.

"Fortunately, thyroid hormones are safe, effective and inexpensive," says Dr. Castro. "But for anybody who has had thyroid surgery — and more so if you've had a total thyroidectomy — it leaves you with the fact that, for the rest of your life, you're going to have to take a pill."

This can be an especially difficult adjustment for young and otherwise healthy people. "At the beginning, it might be tough for somebody who has never needed a medication to have to take a pill every day," says Dr. Castro.

Family planning might take more preparation.

Because thyroid cancer can occur before or during childbearing years, if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant, you should talk to your health care professional about adjusting your thyroid medication to prepare your body for pregnancy.

"This is an important conversation I have with women who have thyroid conditions," says Dr. Castro. She adds that while your chances of becoming pregnant won't necessarily be affected by thyroid medication, your medication dose will need to change during pregnancy, as low thyroid hormone levels could affect your baby's development.

Thyroid cancer treatments also can affect your family planning timeline. Men who receive radioactive iodine treatment might have decreased sperm counts or infertility for up to two years, according to the American Thyroid Association. While there's no evidence to suggest that radioactive iodine can cause infertility in women, it's recommended that women wait six months to one year after treatment before becoming pregnant.

You might need follow-up tests to monitor for recurrence.

Thyroid cancer has a risk of recurrence, but regular monitoring can diagnose new development of thyroid cancer early and help you get treatment as soon as possible.

"The most common type of imaging they will need is an ultrasound," says Dr. Castro. "Some of the things we look for are: Is there any tumor in the remaining part of the thyroid, is there any evidence of recurrence, and have they developed any abnormal lymph nodes that we need to biopsy or take out?"

Dr. Castro says because thyroid cancers are often more aggressive in adolescents and young adults, they have a higher chance of returning. But this shouldn't be a cause for alarm.

"Despite all these issues, the vast majority of young adults diagnosed with a thyroid cancer will live a normal lifespan," says Dr. Castro.

How do I know I am getting the right care?

Find specialized thyroid cancer care.

Thyroid cancer is highly treatable and often curable in adolescents and young adults, but it's still important to get care from a center that specializes in thyroid cancer and can help you at every stage of your thyroid cancer journey.

At a center that specializes in thyroid cancer, your care team might include experts from oncology, otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery, endocrinology, radiation oncology, and pathology. This team approach will provide you the best personalized care during and after treatment.

Centers that specialize in thyroid cancer care also are more likely to offer specialized survivorship care to help you prepare for life after cancer treatment.

"We send all of our patients to our thyroid cancer survivorship clinic, where a provider will meet with them early on and discuss their goals and disease management," says Dr. Castro.

Find a surgeon who specializes in thyroid cancer surgery.

If your treatment includes surgery, it's important to find a surgeon who specializes in thyroid cancer surgery. Endocrine or otorhinolaryngologists and head and neck surgeons who specialize in thyroid surgery use the best approaches to give you a good outcome.

But Dr. Castro says patients who need thyroid cancer surgery often don't receive care from surgeons who specialize in thyroid cancer. "In the United States, the vast majority of thyroid surgeries are done by surgeons who do fewer than 10 of these operations per year."

This can result in complications.

"Some of the risks of surgery include injury to the nerves that supply the vocal cords. Those nerves travel in close proximity to the thyroid, and if the surgeon doesn't have the expertise, it can result in injury to the nerve and patients losing their voice or developing hoarseness. In many cases, it can be treated or improved, but in some cases, it's permanent," says Dr. Castro.

She adds that it's not uncommon for parathyroid glands to be injured or accidentally removed at the time of surgery. And this can lead to hypocalcemia or hypoparathyroidism.

"Experienced surgeons are fully aware of these conditions and do their best to avoid these complications. That's why it's so important that an expert performs the surgery," says Dr. Castro.

Dr. Pittock agrees, adds, "It's OK to ask your surgeon how often they do thyroid cancer surgery and how often their patients have complications."

Though thyroid cancer has a great prognosis in adolescents and young adults, any cancer diagnosis can be frightening and disrupt your life plans. But great care is available to support you through treatment and recovery and get you back on track.

"My biggest take-home message for patients with thyroid cancer is: Make sure you are seen by a specialized care center with experience in thyroid cancer," says Dr. Castro. "This will give you the best chance of a cure and offer all the necessary resources and perspective on what management of your care will be like in years to come."

This article originally appeared in the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center Blog.

Learn more: Learn more about thyroid cancer and find a thyroid cancer clinical trial at Mayo Clinic. Join the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Group and Thyroid Cancer Group on Mayo Clinic Connect.

Also read these articles:

• "Support group buoys young adults with cancer."
• "Mayo Clinic Q&A' podcast: Meeting the unique needs of adolescent and young adult patients with cancer."

The post What you should know about thyroid cancer in adolescents, young adults appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Are thyroid nodules common? What causes them to develop, and should I be concerned if I have one?

ANSWER: Lumps in the thyroid — called thyroid nodules — are common. The likelihood of having one is higher in women and increases with age. It’s estimated that up to half of adults over 50 may have one. There are various reasons why thyroid nodules may develop. Thankfully, around 90% to 95% of thyroid nodules are benign, or noncancerous. Still, follow-up to determine whether they’re benign or cancerous is important. When cancer is caught early and confined to the thyroid gland, treatment is usually successful.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the midline of your neck, about halfway between your Adam’s apple and breastbone. Your thyroid gland produces two main hormones: thyroxine, often called T-4, and triiodothyronine, or T-3.

Thyroid hormones affect many cells within your body. They maintain the rate at which your body uses fats and carbohydrates, help control your body temperature, affect how your nervous system works, and influence your heart rate. Your thyroid gland also produces calcitonin, a nonessential hormone that helps regulate the amount of calcium in your blood.

Thyroid nodules are solid or fluid-filled lumps that form within your thyroid. Thyroid nodules generally don’t cause any signs or symptoms. They often are found incidentally as a result of tests or radiologic exams, such as ultrasound or CT scans, performed for another medical reason. Occasionally, a nodule may first be noticed if it causes swelling in the neck, or if it’s large enough to make swallowing uncomfortable or difficult.

Nodules may develop due to an overgrowth of normal thyroid tissue. Although it is not clear why this happens, these nodules usually do not pose any health risks and don’t require treatment. Certain thyroid disorders, such as chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland or enlargement of the thyroid, can lead to nodules, too. Although the underlying condition may require treatment, the nodules themselves typically do not.

While most thyroid nodules are benign, rarely they can be cancerous. Studies have shown that about 3% to 5% of all thyroid nodules are malignant. If indicated based on appearance on thyroid ultrasound or history, a procedure called a fine-needle aspiration biopsy can be performed to make sure no cancer is present. During the biopsy, a health care provider inserts, under local anesthetic, a thin needle in the nodule and removes several cell samples. Then the samples are sent to a laboratory and analyzed under a microscope to look for signs of cancer.

If a nodule is not cancerous, your health care provider may recommend surveillance with a thyroid ultrasound or physical exam. In that case, you have follow-up exams regularly to monitor for any thyroid changes. If a thyroid nodule gets larger over time, another biopsy may be necessary. Although uncommon, some benign thyroid nodules grow to the point that they begin to interfere with breathing and swallowing. These large nodules may require surgery to remove.

Benign nodules sometimes may produce hormones that increase your thyroid’s overall level of hormone production. This can trigger a condition called hyperthyroidism, which speeds up your body’s metabolism. That can lead to sudden weight loss, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, sweating, and nervousness or irritability, among other symptoms. If such a “toxic” nodule causes hyperthyroidism, depending on your age and general health, surgery or radioactive iodine therapy may be needed to keep the condition in check.

In the uncommon case where a thyroid nodule is cancerous, surgery usually is necessary to remove the nodule and the surrounding tissue. Sometimes the entire thyroid gland must be removed. After this surgery, lifelong thyroid hormone (T4) therapy is required to replace the thyroid’s natural hormones and regulate the body’s metabolism. Fortunately, surgery cures most cases of thyroid cancer, and the long-term outlook after the procedure is usually excellent. — Dr. Bithika Thompson, Endocrinology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona

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The post Mayo Clinic Q and A: Understanding thyroid nodules appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Thyroid cancer  
Thyroid cancer occurs in the cells of the thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck. Your thyroid produces hormones that regulate your heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and weight. Thyroid cancer isn't common in the U.S., and there may be no signs or symptoms early in the disease. As thyroid cancer grows, it may cause pain and swollen lymph nodes, difficulty swallowing, and changes to your voice, including increasing hoarseness. Learn about the types and risk factors for thyroid cancer.

Treating lung cancer  
When it comes to lung cancer, the treatment options typically are surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, radiosurgery, targeted drug therapy, immunotherapy and palliative care. You and your health care provider will choose a cancer treatment plan based on several factors, including your overall health, the type and stage of your cancer, and your preferences. Learn more about each of these treatment options and which might be best for you.

Video: 'Mammogram for Breast Cancer — What to Expect'  
A mammogram is an X-ray image of your breasts used to screen for breast cancer. Mammograms play a key role in early detection of breast cancer and help decrease breast cancer deaths. This video explains the process and what you can expect during a mammogram.

The post Living With Cancer: Understanding thyroid cancer appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Stress relievers: 12 tips to tame tension 
Stress is a normal part of everyone's life. It's an automatic physical, mental and emotional response to a challenging event. When channeled positively, stress can lead to growth, action and change. But too much stress can negatively affect your quality of life. Stress relievers can help restore calm and serenity to your chaotic life. If your stress is getting out of control and you need relief, here are some strategies to consider.

EXPERT ANSWERS
Is a thyroid guard needed during a mammogram?
A thyroid guard or thyroid shield is a lead collar that wraps around your neck to block the radiation that's generated during X-rays. There is little chance that the radiation exposure from a mammogram will cause thyroid cancer. In addition, a thyroid guard could interfere with the accuracy of your mammogram. Learn more from Dr. Sandhya Pruthi, a Mayo Clinic general internal medicine physician and past director of the Mayo Clinic Breast Diagnostic Clinic.

Is craving and chewing ice a sign of anemia? 
Health care providers use the term "pica" to describe craving and chewing substances that have no nutritional value, such as ice, clay, soil or paper. Craving and chewing ice, known as pagophagia, often is associated with iron deficiency — with or without anemia — although the reason is unclear. Learn more from Dr. Rajiv Pruthi, a Mayo Clinic hematologist.

PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
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HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
Prevent night leg cramps
Nighttime leg cramps often strike just as you're falling asleep or waking up. To prevent these involuntary contractions of your leg muscles, usually in the back of your lower leg, stretch your legs before you climb under the covers. Wear shoes with proper support. Untuck the covers at the foot of your bed. And drink plenty of fluids during the day.

Need practical advice on diet and exercise? Want creative solutions for stress and other lifestyle issues? Discover more healthy lifestyle topics at mayoclinic.org.

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Cancer survivors: Care for your body after treatment
The recommendations for cancer survivors are no different from the recommendations for anyone who wants to improve his or her health: Exercise, eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight, avoid tobacco, and limit the amount of alcohol you drink. For cancer survivors, these strategies may have added benefits. These simple steps can improve your sense of well-being and quality of life after cancer treatment.

Treating thyroid cancer
Thyroid cancer occurs in the cells of the thyroid — a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck, just below your Adam's apple. Your thyroid produces hormones that regulate your heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and weight. Treatment options depend on the type and stage of your thyroid cancer, your overall health and your preferences. Learn more about these options and what might be right for you.

The post Living With Cancer: Surviving ovarian cancer and looking ahead appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

ANSWER: Treatment for thyroid cancer usually involves removing all or part of the thyroid gland. In cases where thyroid cancer is advanced or aggressive, radioactive iodine treatment may be recommended after surgery to destroy any cancer cells that couldn’t be removed during surgery. For very small papillary thyroid cancers (less than 1 centimeter in diameter and completely confined to the thyroid on ultrasound examination), it may be reasonable to avoid surgery and monitor them periodically without treatment. This is termed “surveillance” and requires annual imaging of the thyroid with high-quality ultrasound. These small thyroid cancers are low risk for progression, especially in persons over 60.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the midline of your neck, about halfway between your Adam’s apple and your breastbone. Your thyroid gland produces two main hormones: thyroxine, or T4, and triiodothyronine, or T3.

Thyroid hormones impact many cells within your body. They maintain the rate at which your body uses fats and carbohydrates, help control your body temperature, affect the working of your nervous system, and influence your heart rate. Your thyroid gland also produces calcitonin, a hormone that helps regulate the amount of calcium in your blood.

Thyroid cancer is not common in the U.S. When it is found, though, most cases can be cured. Surgery to remove all or most of the thyroid — a procedure called a thyroidectomy — is often the first step in treatment.

Thyroidectomy typically involves making an incision in the center of the neck to access the thyroid gland directly. In addition to removing the thyroid, the surgeon may remove lymph nodes near the thyroid gland if the cancer is known or suspected to be spreading outside the thyroid. Then, those lymph nodes will be checked for cancer cells. An ultrasound exam of the neck before surgery can help doctors determine if lymph node removal is necessary.

When thyroid cancer is found in its earliest stage, and the cancer is very small, it may only be necessary to remove one side, or lobe, of the thyroid, and leave the rest in place. In that situation, the thyroid still can function and produce hormones.

When the entire thyroid is removed, lifelong thyroid hormone therapy is required to replace the thyroid's natural hormones and regulate the body's metabolism. In addition to supplying the missing hormone the thyroid normally makes, this medication also suppresses the pituitary gland’s production of thyroid-stimulating hormone, or TSH. That’s useful, because there’s a possibility that high TSH levels could foster the growth of any remaining cancer cells.

If thyroid cancer is found in its later stages, if it’s a more aggressive form of cancer, or if it is cancer that has come back after earlier treatment, then radioactive iodine therapy may be recommended after the thyroid has been removed.

Radioactive iodine comes in a capsule or liquid that’s swallowed. The therapy works because thyroid cells naturally absorb iodine. So when the medicine is taken up by any remaining thyroid cells or thyroid cancer, the radioactivity destroys those cells. Because the thyroid is the primary site where iodine is absorbed by the body, there’s a low risk of harming other cells with this treatment. Afterward, the radioactive iodine leaves the body through urine.

If thyroid cancer is not cured with a combination of surgery and radioactive iodine therapy, then chemotherapy, external radiation therapy or other treatment may be necessary. Fortunately, surgery cures most cases of thyroid cancer, and the long-term outlook after the procedure is usually excellent. — Dr. John Morris III, Endocrinology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

The post Mayo Clinic Q and A: Thyroid cancer — treatment and prognosis appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland in your neck, just above your collarbone. The thyroid makes hormones to help control the rate of many activities in your body, including how fast you burn calories and how fast your heart beats. But, sometimes, problems develop with the thyroid gland, and it doesn’t secrete the right level of hormones. January is Thyroid Disease Awareness Month. On the Mayo Clinic Radio podcast, endocrinologist Dr. John C. Morris III discusses diagnosis and treatment of thyroid conditions, such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease and thyroid cancer. Also on the program, ophthalmologist Dr. Arthur Sit  explains the importance of regular eye exams to prevent glaucoma. And high-risk pregnancy certified nurse practitioner Deb Miller shares steps women can take to help prevent birth defects.

The post #MayoClinicRadio Podcast: 1/21/17 appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Listen to the program on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 9:05 a.m. CST, and follow #MayoClinicRadio.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Access archived shows.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Thyroid Disease Awareness Month appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.