Introduction

This National Cancer Institute (NCI) booklet (NIH Publication No. 07-4994) is about cancer that begins in the thyroid. In 2012, more than 43,000 women and 13,000 men will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the United States.

This booklet tells about diagnosis, staging, treatment, and follow-up care. Learning about the medical care for thyroid cancer can help you take an active part in making choices about your own care.

This booklet has lists of questions that you may want to ask your doctor. Many people find it helpful to take a list of questions to a doctor visit. To help remember what your doctor says, you can take notes or ask whether you may use a tape recorder. You may also want to have a family member or friend with you when you talk with the doctor - to take part in the discussion, to take notes, or just to listen.