The level of thyroid function is checked periodically by both clinical examination and laboratory tests. Thyroid cancer patients are examined at regular 6 to 12 month intervals to ensure that there is no evidence of recurrent cancer. Neck ultrasounds and chest x-rays may also be required to ensure that the cancer has not persisted or recurred. The risk for recurrence is higher in patients over the age of 45 or if the thyroid cancer has extended outside of the thyroid gland at the time of the original diagnosis. However, early detection and treatment often averts such consequences.
Patients usually have questions regarding thyroid cancer.
Here are some of them. If you have a different question, you might write to the Thyroid Foundation of Canada and answers may be published in the Thyrobulletin by a consultant doctor. Smoking and drinking are not related to thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer rarely spreads throughout the body. Most thyroid cancers are cured by the initial operation.