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Thyroid Cancer: Questions to Ask

© Keri

Have you been newly diagnosed with thyroid cancer? The word 'cancer' sets off all sorts of alarms and prompts important questions. What kind is it? How long will I live? Can you cure it? It's important to be fully informed before you make life-changing treatment decisions. Do you know the right questions to ask?

The Thyroid Cancer Survivors Association has published a list of questions to ask your healthcare provider. This list is not all inclusive and not every question may be appropriate to your diagnosis. But it is a good tool to use to open a discussion with your healthcare provider.

For a complete list, visit Questions you may want to ask.

Please understand that your doctor may not be able to give you exact answers until after a biopsy or surgery. But he/she should be able to give you some information and explain why a certain treatment might be a better choice. Treatment of thyroid cancer is based on the answers to these questions: What kind is it? Has the tumor spread? How large is it? What stage is it?

Other questions to consider if you need surgery: Will your doctor do the surgery or refer you to a specialist? If he had to have the surgery, which surgeon would your doctor choose? When talking to the surgeon, how many such surgeries has she performed? What are the potential risks? How much of the thyroid will she remove? Will the lymph glands be removed? How can you expect to feel after surgery? Will you be on hormone replacement? How soon can you return to work?

Another specialist that may be involved is an oncologist. An oncologist specializes in the treatment of cancer. They can even specialize in the type of cancer that they treat. Ask if you will need any form of chemotherapy. The most commonly used is I131, a form of radioiodine. The same as used for treatment of Graves' Disease.

If your thyroid is removed, your body will need some form of hormone replacement to feel "normal." There are several good references on the treatment and symptoms of hypothyroidism. See links.

A fact of life in medicine today is what the insurance will cover. Questions to ask your health insurance company or government assistance program:

• Do I need a second opinion?
• Which healthcare provider can I see?
• What replacement drugs are covered?
• Are follow-up visits covered? How many?
• Which treatment options are covered?

To help organize your thoughts, list your questions before you go to see your healthcare provider. Take the list with you. You might also take a family member or trusted friend to help you listen. Often they will hear more than you do. Tell the receptionist when you make your appointment that you have questions and ask if time can be scheduled to discuss them. Don't be forced into a decision if you feel you need more information. Cancer carries a sense of urgency. However, when you are making life-changing decisions, you want to be sure you understand your choices.