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Thyrogen Information for Patients and FamiliesThyrogen Information for Healthcare Providers

Surgery

Once diagnosed, the first step in the treatment process for well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC) is surgery to remove the thyroid gland. This is called a thyroidectomy. Thyroid surgery is a very delicate procedure because the thyroid gland is surrounded by many blood vessels and nerves.

Thyroid surgeries are done in a hospital operating room under a general anesthetic. The surgeon may remove all or part of the thyroid gland depending on the size of the tumor and whether spreading to other parts of the thyroid gland is suspected. In most cases, total or near-total removal of the gland is recommended in the United States.[1]

Following surgery, your surgeon or endocrinologist will usually prescribe thyroid hormone replacement. This will replace the hormone your thyroid gland was producing prior to its removal. Without thyroid hormone replacement, you will become hypothyroid, and in most cases begin feeling quite ill. Many people become debilitated and cannot function normally in their day to day routine when they lack thyroid hormones. Please see the Hypothyroidism section for more information.

After surgery, you may be a candidate for radioactive iodine (RAI) remnant ablation. If your HCP informs you that you are being prepared for thyroid remnant ablation ask him or her about the Thyrogen option. When your doctor prescribes Thyrogen prior to ablation, you stay on thyroid hormone therapy thus avoiding the hypothyroid disease state. Please see the Remnant Ablation section for more information.

REFERENCES:

1. American Thyroid Association Guidelines Taskforce. Management guidelines for patients with thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer. Thyroid 16 (2): 109-141, 2006. The ATA Guidelines are available at: http://www.thyroid.org/professionals/publications/documents/Guidelinesthy2006.pdf.