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The main form of treatment for follicular thyroid cancer is surgery. In many cases, surgery to remove the thyroid gland is the only treatment that is necessary. Still, treatment can vary based on the spread, type and specific location of the cancer.

Surgery for follicular thyroid cancer

Complete removal of the thyroid gland (total thyroidectomy) is recommended for the majority of patients with follicular thyroid cancer. Patients with low risk follicular thyroid cancer may have a lobectomy, a less invasive procedure that involves removing about one half of the thyroid gland. Any surgery involving the thyroid is a complex procedure that requires the expertise of a specially trained surgeon, but advancements in surgical techniques have substantially reduced the invasiveness and improved the outcomes of these treatments.

Other follicular thyroid cancer therapies

Follicular thyroid cancer treatment may also involve radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy, a targeted therapy that may be appropriate in cases where the cancer has spread to distant areas of the body or the risk of cancer recurrence is high. This treatment involves swallowing a type of cancer cell-fighting iodine in a capsule form, which is absorbed by the body and circulated via the bloodstream. Other possible approaches include external beam radiation therapy and multikinase inhibitors.

Follicular thyroid cancer is a complex disease that warrants highly specialized treatment. At Moffitt Cancer Center, our Thyroid Clinic is led by a multispecialty team that focuses exclusively on thyroid. In one location, our patients benefit from the expertise of head and neck surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine specialists, speech therapists and other experts who work together to ensure the best possible outcomes and quality of life for our patients.

Moffitt has a robust clinical trial program through which we are actively advancing thyroid cancer diagnostics and treatment. We are also recognized as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute.

Contact Moffitt at 1-888-663-3488 or submit a new patient registration form online if you would like to speak with a Moffitt oncologist about your follicular cancer treatment options. We welcome patients with or without referrals.