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Anaplastic thyroid cancer is an uncommon, unpredictable and aggressive disease that spreads rapidly. Following an anaplastic thyroid cancer diagnosis, swift evaluation and treatment from a multispecialty team is key to achieving a positive outcome and improved quality of life.

Surgery for anaplastic thyroid cancer

Surgery is usually the first step of anaplastic thyroid cancer treatment. Despite the aggressive nature of this disease, total removal of the thyroid (thyroidectomy) isn’t always necessary or possible. Anaplastic thyroid cancer may grow into vital structures in the neck that makes cancer resection very difficult. Hormone replacement therapy is often prescribed following anaplastic thyroid cancer surgery to restore natural thyroid levels and regulate metabolism.

Other treatment approaches

Whileurgery is often sufficient in treating other forms of thyroid cancer, patients with anaplastic disease typically also require a combination of external beam radiation therapy and chemotherapy to address cancer cells that may have spread outside of the thyroid or throughout the body. New chemotherapy drugs like Trametinib and Dabrafenib are showing increasing promise for selected patients. Patients whose cancer cannot be surgically removed may receive radiotherapy and chemotherapy to slow the progression of disease and improve quality of life.

Moffitt Cancer Center’s Thyroid Clinic stands at the forefront of anaplastic thyroid cancer treatment and clinical research. Our multispecialty team includes head and neck surgeons, endocrinologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and other professionals who focus exclusively on thyroid diseases and have a unique level of experience addressing anaplastic thyroid cancer. This team also collaborates to create individualized, evidence-based treatment plans for our patients, who have access to multiple professionals in one location.

Moffitt is also actively pursuing breakthroughs in anaplastic thyroid cancer treatment through our robust clinical trial program and research initiatives. Our unrelenting dedication to improving patient outcomes has led to Comprehensive Cancer Center designation from the National Cancer Institute.

If you have been diagnosed with anaplastic thyroid cancer, we encourage you to visit Moffitt to learn about your treatment options and what clinical trials may be available to you. We prioritize prompt evaluation and treatment for patients with this disease. To learn more, contact 1-888-663-3488 or submit a new patient registration form online. A referral is not required to visit Moffitt.

Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer