Isn't thyroid cancer considered a major disease?

Thyroid cancer is a malignant tumor that originates from the thyroid follicular epithelium or parafollicular cells. It is not considered a major disease because it is not difficult to treat. It can be cured clinically by following the treatment methods and means of thyroid cancer. Early thyroid cancer is mainly treated surgically. In addition to surgical treatment, mid- and late-stage thyroid cancer also requires auxiliary treatments such as radionuclide therapy, endocrine therapy, and external radiation. Immune and targeted drugs can also be used for treatment.

1. Surgical treatment: Patients with early thyroid cancer need to have the tumor completely removed. If the tumor has lymph node metastasis, the lymph nodes need to be cleared. At the same time, attention should be paid to protecting the cervical nerves and recurrent laryngeal nerves, and try to preserve their functions to avoid nerve damage that may cause hoarseness, coughing when drinking water, and other symptoms. In addition to total thyroidectomy, patients with other types of thyroid cancer also need radionuclide therapy after surgery;

2. Radionuclide therapy: Patients who have undergone thyroid cancer surgery can also use radionuclide therapy to control residual thyroid tissue and remove possible tumor lesions;

3. Endocrine and external radiation: If the thyroid cancer patient has hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism after surgery, he needs to use drugs such as levothyroxine sodium tablets for replacement therapy. If the patient has distant metastasis such as bone metastasis and lung metastasis, radionuclide therapy is also required;

4. Other treatments: Some patients with advanced thyroid cancer can be treated with immune drugs and targeted drugs to improve their quality of life.

In addition to surgery, radionuclide therapy, immunotherapy and targeted drug therapy, Chinese medicine can also be used for auxiliary treatment to help patients improve their physical fitness and enhance their disease resistance. It is recommended that thyroid cancer patients try to keep a happy mood and avoid excessive emotions that affect their physical condition. It is also necessary to regularly review thyroid function to clarify changes in the condition.