Radiation Treatment for Thyroid Cancer

Radiation treatment for thyroid cancer involves external radiation therapy. External radiation therapy uses a large machine outside of the body to aim radiation at the tumor. Radiation treatment is usually administered five days a week for five to seven weeks. Side effects of undergoing radiation treatment for thyroid cancer can include fatigue, hair loss in the treated area, and red, dry, tender, and itchy skin in the treated area.

 

Radiation Treatment for Thyroid Cancer: An Introduction

Radiation treatment (also called radiotherapy) uses high-energy rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells. Like surgery, radiation treatment for thyroid cancer is local therapy, which means that it only affects cancer cells in the treated area. Doctors use external radiation treatment for thyroid cancer. External radiation uses a large machine outside of the body to aim radiation at the tumor. Most people who receive external radiation are treated as an outpatient, five days a week for five to seven weeks. This schedule helps protect healthy cells and tissues by spreading out the total dose of radiation.
 

Side Effects of Radiation Treatment for Thyroid Cancer

The side effects of radiation treatment for thyroid cancer will depend on the treatment dose and the part of the body that is treated. Patients are likely to become very tired during radiation treatment for thyroid cancer, especially in the later weeks of treatment. Although resting is important, doctors usually advise patients to try to stay as active as they can. Other side effects of external radiation can include:
 
  • Permanent darkening or "bronzing" of the skin in the treated area
  • Hair loss in the treated area
  • Skin that becomes red, dry, tender, and itchy.
 
These problems are usually temporary, and doctors can suggest ways to relieve them.
 
When the neck is treated with external radiation therapy, patients may feel hoarse or have trouble swallowing. Radiation treatment for thyroid cancer may also cause a decrease in the number of white blood cells, which help protect the body against infection. If the blood counts are low, the doctor or nurse may suggest ways to avoid getting an infection, and the patient may not be able to have more radiation therapy until blood counts improve. Doctors will need to check the patient's blood counts regularly and change the treatment schedule if necessary. Although the side effects of radiation treatment for thyroid cancer can be distressing, the doctor can usually treat or control them. It is important to note that, in most cases, these side effects are not permanent.
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD