Anaplastic Cancer, commonly referred to as thyroid cancer, is cancer of the thyroid gland. The thyroid glad is located in the neck, directly behind the Adam's apple. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 1,630 deaths will occur in 2009 from thyroid cancer.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of thyroid cancer typically consists of imaging, blood cultures, and a tissue biopsy.
Treatment Options
Treatment of thyroid cancer generally includes surgical removal of the thyroid gland. Additionally, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and iodine therapy may be used to treat anaplastic cancer.
Iodine Therapy
Iodine therapy is typically used to destroy cancer cells within the thyroid gland. Normally, the thyroid gland attracts and soaks up all the iodine within the human body, making iodine radiation therapy a preferred method of treatment.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is typically used in conjunction with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). Chemotherapy generally helps slow the growth of new cancer cells, but does not kill cancer cells.
External Beam Radiation Therapy
EBRT is used to kill cancer cells using a high-energy beam to directly destroy new cancer cells growing within the .
Tags: cancer cells, thyroid gland, thyroid cancer, radiation therapy, within thyroid gland