Thyroid Cancer

Every year in the United States, an estimated 33,000 women and 12,000 men develop thyroid cancer. To prevent cancer from spreading, the Head & Neck Cancer Center of Texas provides patient-centered services on-site. Cancer specialist Yadro Ducic, MD, FACS, uses state-of-the-art technology to diagnose thyroid cancer in its early stages. Call the Fort Worth, Texas, office to schedule a thyroid cancer consultation or book an appointment online today. 

What is thyroid cancer?

Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped organ that sits at the base of your neck. The organ is responsible for making hormones that regulate many functions in your body, including your metabolism and heart rate.

Thyroid cancer develops in the gland when cells divide abnormally, often due to radiation exposure or because of certain genetic traits.

Head & Neck Cancer Center of Texas provides comprehensive thyroid care, including diagnostic testing and customized treatment plans.

Dr. Ducic specializes in the treatment of anaplastic cancer — an extremely aggressive type of thyroid cancer. He is the author of a landmark research paper on the disease and offers effective therapies for people diagnosed with this cancer.

When should I seek medical care for thyroid cancer?

Schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Head & Neck Cancer Center of Texas if you have warning signs of thyroid cancer, such as:

• Hoarse voice
• Trouble breathing
• Lump in the neck
• Swallowing difficulties or pain

Dr. Ducic completes a physical exam and may order blood work, ultrasound, and other diagnostic tests to evaluate your hormone levels. He may also remove a tissue sample from your thyroid and check it under a microscope for cancerous cells. Testing helps confirm a cancer diagnosis and determines how advanced it is (stage).

To treat thyroid cancer, Dr. Ducic customizes a care plan using one or more therapies to destroy cancerous cells, so they don’t spread elsewhere.

How is thyroid cancer treated?

Your treatment plan for cancer may involve surgery to remove the thyroid and nearby lymph nodes. Dr. Ducic uses minimally invasive techniques that require only small incisions, so you can heal with minimal scarring. You might also need radiation therapy after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells.

In treating anaplastic cancer, Dr. Ducic typically recommends surgery to remove the thyroid. He may follow up with iodine treatments.

You can expect to schedule routine visits to the office so that Dr. Ducic can monitor your progress with treatment and screen for the return of cancer.

If you have thyroid removal surgery, Dr. Ducic prescribes supplemental hormones you need to take for the rest of your life to support your health.

Call the Head & Neck Cancer Center of Texas office nearest you to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for thyroid cancer or book an appointment online today.