Thyroid cancer

If you’re affected by thyroid cancer, you may have many questions about how it is diagnosed, treatment options, side effects and how to stay well. You can find trustworthy information about all aspects of your experience below.

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What is thyroid cancer?

The thyroid is a gland that sits at the front of the throat. Find out about thyroid cancer, how it develops and who gets it.

Symptoms

Learn about the common symptoms of thyroid cancer and when to see your doctor.

Getting diagnosed

Find out about the tests for thyroid cancer, how it is diagnosed and staged, and who will provide your care.

Treating thyroid cancer

Find out about common treatments, including surgery, thyroid hormone replacement therapy and radioactive iodine treatment.

Life after treatment

Learn about follow-up care, what happens if the cancer returns, and how to look after your physical and mental health.

Questions for your doctorThis checklist may be helpful when thinking about the questions you want to ask your doctor.

What type of thyroid cancer do I have? Has it spread?
Are there clinical guidelines for this type of thyroid cancer?
What treatment do you recommend? What are the risks and possible side effects?
If I don’t have the treatment, what can I expect?
How long do I have to make a decision? Are there any other treatment options for me?
How long will treatment take? Will I have to stay in hospital?
How will we know if the treatment is working?
Do I need to take any safety precautions after this treatment?
Will treatment affect my fertility or my sex life?
Can I work, drive and do my normal activities while having treatment?
How will my thyroid hormone levels be monitored?
Will I need to take medicine after treatment?
How often will I need check-ups after treatment?

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This information was last updated in June 2025. See who reviewed this content.

A/Prof Diana Learoyd, Endocrinologist, GenesisCare North Shore, St Leonards and University of Sydney, NSW; Sally Brooks, Senior Pharmacist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Monica Kwaczynski, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Susan Leonard, Clinical Nurse Consultant – Thyroid Cancer, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, QLD; Juliette O’Brien OAM, Consumer; Jonathan Park, Consumer; A/Prof Robert Parkyn, Breast and Endocrine Surgeon, St Andrew’s Hospital and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, SA; A/Prof David Pattison, Director, Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Services, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, QLD.

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