Keeping on Top of Your Condition
thiroid, thyrod
The Thyroid
The thyroid
is a gland
in the neck. It has two kinds of cells that make hormones.
Follicular
cells make thyroid
hormone, which affects heart rate, body temperature, and energy
level. C
cells make calcitonin,
a hormone that helps control the level of calcium in the blood.
The thyroid is shaped like a butterfly and lies at the front of the
neck, beneath the voice box (larynx).
It has two parts, or lobes.
The two lobes are separated by a thin section called the isthmus.
A healthy thyroid is a little larger than a quarter. It usually cannot
be felt through the skin. A swollen lobe might look or feel like a lump in
the front of the neck. A swollen thyroid is called a goiter.
Most goiters are caused by not enough iodine
in the diet. Iodine is a substance found in shellfish and iodized
salt.
This
picture shows the thyroid.
|
Understanding Thyroid Cancer
Cancer is a group of many related diseases. All cancers begin in cells,
the body's basic unit of life. Cells make up tissues,
and tissues make up the organs of the body.
Normally, cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs
them. When cells grow old and die, new cells take their place.
Sometimes this orderly process goes wrong. New cells form when the body
does not need them, and old cells do not die when they should. These extra
cells can form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor.
Growths on the thyroid are usually called nodules.
Thyroid nodules can be benign
or malignant:
-
Benign nodules are not cancer. Cells from benign nodules do
not spread to other parts of the body. They are usually not a threat to
life. Most thyroid nodules (more than 90 percent) are benign.
-
Malignant nodules are cancer. They are generally more serious
and may sometimes be life threatening. Cancer cells can invade and
damage nearby tissues and organs. Also, cancer cells can break away from
a malignant nodule and enter the bloodstream or the lymphatic
system. That is how cancer spreads from the original cancer
(primary
tumor) to form new tumors in other organs. The spread of cancer
is called metastasis.
The following are the major types of thyroid cancer:
-
Papillary
and follicular
thyroid cancers account for 80 to 90 percent of all thyroid
cancers. Both types begin in the follicular cells of the thyroid. Most
papillary and follicular thyroid cancers tend to grow slowly. If they
are detected early, most can be treated successfully.
-
Medullary
thyroid cancer accounts for 5 to 10 percent of thyroid
cancer cases. It arises in C cells, not follicular cells. Medullary
thyroid cancer is easier to control if it is found and treated before it
spreads to other parts of the body.
-
Anaplastic
thyroid cancer is the least common type of thyroid cancer
(only 1 to 2 percent of cases). It arises in the follicular cells. The
cancer cells are highly abnormal and difficult to recognize. This type
of cancer is usually very hard to control because the cancer cells tend
to grow and spread very quickly.
If thyroid cancer spreads (metastasizes)
outside the thyroid, cancer cells are often found in nearby lymph
nodes, nerves, or blood vessels. If the cancer has reached these
lymph nodes, cancer cells may have also spread to other lymph nodes or to
other organs, such as the lungs or bones.
When cancer spreads from its original place to another part of the
body, the new tumor has the same kind of abnormal cells and the same name
as the primary tumor. For example, if thyroid cancer spreads to the lungs,
the cancer cells in the lungs are thyroid cancer cells. The disease is
metastatic thyroid cancer, not lung cancer. It is treated as thyroid
cancer, not as lung cancer. Doctors sometimes call the new tumor "distant"
or metastatic disease.
Thyroid Cancer: Who's at Risk?
No one knows the exact causes of thyroid cancer. Doctors can seldom
explain why one person gets this disease and another does not. However, it
is clear that thyroid cancer is not contagious. No one can "catch" cancer
from another person.
Research has shown that people with certain risk
factors are more likely than others to develop thyroid cancer. A
risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of developing a
disease.
The following risk factors are associated with an increased chance of
developing thyroid cancer:
-
Radiation.
People exposed to high levels of radiation are much more likely than
others to develop papillary or follicular thyroid cancer.
One important source of radiation exposure is treatment with x-rays.
Between the 1920s and the 1950s, doctors used high-dose x-rays to treat
children who had enlarged tonsils, acne, and other problems affecting
the head and neck. Later, scientists found that some people who had
received this kind of treatment developed thyroid cancer. (Routine
diagnostic x-rays -- such as dental x-rays or chest x-rays -- use very
small doses of radiation. Their benefits nearly always outweigh their
risks. However, repeated exposure could be harmful, so it is a good idea
for people to talk with their dentist and doctor about the need for each
x-ray and to ask about the use of shields to protect other parts of the
body.)
Another source of radiation is radioactive
fallout. This includes fallout from atomic weapons testing (such
as the testing in the United States and elsewhere in the world, mainly
in the 1950s and 1960s), nuclear power plant accidents (such as the
Chornobyl [also called Chernobyl] accident in 1986), and releases from
atomic weapons production plants (such as the Hanford facility in
Washington state in the late 1940s). Such radioactive fallout contains
radioactive
iodine (I-131). People who were exposed to one or more sources
of I-131, especially if they were children at the time of their
exposure, may have an increased risk for thyroid diseases.
People who are concerned about their exposure to radiation from
medical treatments or radioactive fallout may wish to ask the Cancer
Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER about additional sources of
information.
-
Family history. Medullary thyroid cancer can be caused by a
change, or alteration, in a gene
called RET. The altered RET gene can be passed from parent to child.
Nearly everyone with the altered RET gene will develop medullary thyroid
cancer. A blood test can detect an altered RET gene. If the abnormal
gene is found in a person with medullary thyroid cancer, the doctor may
suggest that family members be tested. For those found to carry the
altered RET gene, the doctor may recommend frequent lab tests or surgery
to remove the thyroid before cancer develops. When medullary thyroid
cancer runs in a family, the doctor may call this "familial medullary
thyroid cancer" or "multiple
endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndrome." People with the MEN
syndrome tend to develop certain other types of cancer.
A small number of people with a family history of goiter or certain
precancerous
polyps in the colon
are at risk for developing papillary thyroid cancer.
-
Being female. In the United States, women are two to three
times more likely than men to develop thyroid cancer.
-
Age. Most patients with thyroid cancer are more than 40 years
old. People with anaplastic thyroid cancer are usually more than 65
years old.
-
Race. In the United States, white people are more likely than
African Americans to be diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
-
Not enough iodine in the diet. The thyroid needs iodine to
make thyroid hormone. In the United States, iodine is added to salt to
protect people from thyroid problems. Thyroid cancer seems to be less
common in the United States than in countries where iodine is not part
of the diet.
Most people who have known risk factors do not get thyroid cancer. On
the other hand, many who do get the disease have none of these risk
factors. People who think they may be at risk for thyroid cancer should
discuss this concern with their doctor. The doctor may suggest ways to
reduce the risk and can plan an appropriate schedule for checkups.
Thyroid Cancer Symptoms
Early thyroid cancer often does not cause symptoms.
But as the cancer grows, symptoms may include:
-
A lump, or nodule, in the front of the neck near the Adam's
apple;
-
Hoarseness or difficulty speaking in a normal voice;
-
Swollen lymph nodes, especially in the neck;
-
Difficulty swallowing or breathing; or
-
Pain in the throat or neck.
These symptoms are not sure signs of thyroid cancer. An infection, a
benign goiter, or another problem also could cause these symptoms. Anyone
with these symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible. Only a doctor
can diagnose and treat the problem.
Diagnosis of Thyroid Cancer
If a person has symptoms that suggest thyroid cancer, the doctor may
perform a physical exam and ask about the patient's personal and family
medical history. The doctor also may order laboratory tests and imaging
tests to produce pictures of the thyroid and other areas.
The exams and tests may include the following:
-
Physical exam -- The doctor will feel the neck, thyroid, voice
box, and lymph nodes in the neck for unusual growths (nodules) or
swelling.
-
Blood tests -- The doctor may test for abnormal levels (too
low or too high) of thyroid-stimulating
hormone (TSH) in the blood. TSH is made by the pituitary
gland in the brain. It stimulates the release of thyroid
hormone. TSH also controls how fast thyroid follicular cells grow.
If medullary thyroid cancer is suspected, the doctor may check for
abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood. The doctor also may
order blood tests to detect an altered RET gene or to look for a high
level of calcitonin.
-
Ultrasonography
-- The ultrasound device uses sound waves that people cannot hear. The
waves bounce off the thyroid, and a computer uses the echoes to create a
picture called a sonogram.
From the picture, the doctor can see how many nodules are present, how
big they are, and whether they are solid or filled with fluid.
-
Radionuclide
scanning -- The doctor may order a nuclear
medicine scan that uses a very small amount of radioactive
material to make thyroid nodules show up on a picture. Nodules that
absorb less radioactive material than the surrounding thyroid tissue are
called cold
nodules. Cold nodules may be benign or malignant. Hot
nodules take up more radioactive material than surrounding
thyroid tissue and are usually benign.
-
Biopsy
-- The removal of tissue to look for cancer cells is called a biopsy. A
biopsy can show cancer, tissue changes that may lead to cancer, and
other conditions. A biopsy is the only sure way to know whether a nodule
is cancerous.
The doctor may remove tissue through a needle or during surgery:
-
Fine-needle
aspiration: For most patients, the doctor removes a sample
of tissue from a thyroid nodule with a thin needle. A pathologist
looks at the cells under a microscope to check for cancer. Sometimes,
the doctor uses an ultrasound device to guide the needle through the
nodule.
-
Surgical biopsy: If a diagnosis cannot be made from the
fine-needle aspiration, the doctor may operate to remove the nodule. A
pathologist then checks the tissue for cancer cells.
|
A person who needs a biopsy may want to ask the doctor the
following questions:
-
What kind of biopsy will I have?
-
How long will the procedure take? Will I be awake? Will it
hurt?
-
Will I have a scar on my neck after the biopsy?
-
How soon will you have the results? Who will explain them
to me?
-
If I do have cancer, who will talk to me about treatment?
When? |
Staging
If the diagnosis is thyroid cancer, the doctor needs to know the stage,
or extent, of the disease to plan the best treatment. Staging
is a careful attempt to learn whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to
what parts of the body.
The doctor may use ultrasonography,
magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI), or computed
tomography (CT) to find out whether the cancer has spread to the
lymph nodes or other areas within the neck. The doctor may use a nuclear
medicine scan of the entire body, such as a radionuclide scan known as the
"diagnostic I-131 whole body scan," or other imaging tests to learn
whether thyroid cancer has spread to distant sites.
Thyroid Cancer Treatment
People with thyroid cancer often want to take an active part in making
decisions about their medical care. They want to learn all they can about
their disease and their treatment choices. However, the shock and stress
that people may feel after a diagnosis of cancer can make it hard for them
to think of everything they want to ask the doctor. It often helps to make
a list of questions before an appointment. To help remember what the
doctor says, patients may take notes or ask whether they may use a tape
recorder. Some also want to have a family member or friend with them when
they talk to the doctor -- to take part in the discussion, to take notes,
or just to listen.
The doctor may refer patients to doctors (oncologists)
who specialize in treating cancer, or patients may ask for a referral.
Specialists who treat thyroid cancer include surgeons,
endocrinologists
(some of whom are called thyroidologists because they specialize in
thyroid diseases), medical
oncologists, and radiation
oncologists. Treatment generally begins within a few weeks after
the diagnosis. There will be time for patients to talk with the doctor
about treatment choices, get a second opinion, and learn more about
thyroid cancer.
Getting a Second Opinion
Before starting treatment, the patient might want a second opinion
about the diagnosis and the treatment plan. Some insurance companies
require a second opinion; others may cover a second opinion if the patient
or doctor requests it. Gathering medical records and arranging to see
another doctor may take a little time. In most cases, a brief delay does
not make treatment less effective.
There are a number of ways to find a doctor for a second opinion:
-
The patient's doctor may refer the patient to one or more
specialists. At cancer centers, several specialists often work together
as a team.
-
The Cancer Information Service, at 1-800-4-CANCER, can tell callers
about treatment facilities, including cancer centers and other programs
supported by the National Cancer Institute.
-
A local medical society, a nearby hospital, or a medical school can
usually provide the name of specialists.
-
The Official ABMS Directory of Board Certified Medical
Specialists lists doctors' names along with their specialty and
their educational background. This resource is available in most public
libraries. The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) also offers
information by telephone and on the Internet. The public may use these
services to check whether a doctor is board certified. The telephone
number is 1-866-ASK-ABMS (1-866-275-2267). The Internet address is http://www.abms.org/newsearch.asp.
Preparing for Treatment
The doctor can describe treatment choices and discuss the results
expected with each treatment option. The doctor and patient can work
together to develop a treatment plan that fits the patient's needs.
Treatment depends on a number of factors, including the type of thyroid
cancer, the size of the nodule, the patient's age, and whether the cancer
has spread.
|
These are some questions a person may want to ask the doctor
before treatment begins:
-
What type of thyroid cancer do I have?
-
Has the cancer spread? What is the stage of the disease?
-
Do I need any more tests to check for spread of the
disease?
-
What are my treatment choices? Which do you recommend for me?
Why?
-
What are the benefits of each kind of treatment?
-
What are the risks and possible side
effects of each treatment?
-
What is the treatment likely to cost?
-
How will the treatment affect my normal activities?
-
Would a clinical
trial (research study) be appropriate for me? Can you help
me find one? |
People do not need to ask all of their questions or understand all of
the answers at one time. They will have other chances to ask the doctor to
explain things that are not clear and to ask for more information.
Methods of Treatment
People with thyroid cancer have many treatment options. Depending on
the type and stage, thyroid cancer may be treated with surgery,
radioactive
iodine, hormone
treatment, external
radiation, or chemotherapy.
Some patients receive a combination of treatments.
The doctor is the best person to describe the treatment choices and
discuss the expected results.
A patient may want to talk to the doctor about taking part in a
clinical trial, a research study of new treatment methods. The section on
"The
Promise of Cancer Research" has more information about clinical
trials.
Surgery is the most common treatment for thyroid cancer. The
surgeon may remove all or part of the thyroid. The type of surgery depends
on the type and stage of thyroid cancer, the size of the nodule, and the
patient's age.
-
Total thyroidectomy
-- Surgery to remove the entire thyroid is called a total thyroidectomy.
The surgeon removes the thyroid through an incision
in the neck. Nearby lymph nodes are sometimes removed, too. If the
pathologist finds cancer cells in the lymph nodes, it means that the
disease could spread to other parts of the body. In a small number of
cases, the surgeon removes other tissues in the neck that have been
affected by the cancer. Some patients who have a total thyroidectomy
also receive radioactive iodine or external radiation
therapy.
-
Lobectomy
-- Some patients with papillary or follicular thyroid cancer may be
treated with lobectomy. The lobe with the cancerous nodule is removed.
The surgeon also may remove part of the remaining thyroid tissue or
nearby lymph nodes. Some patients who have a lobectomy receive
radioactive iodine therapy or additional surgery to remove remaining
thyroid tissue.
Nearly all patients who have part or all of the thyroid removed will
take thyroid hormone pills to replace the natural hormone.
After the initial surgery, the doctor may need to operate on the neck
again for thyroid cancer that has spread. Patients who have this surgery
also may receive I-131 therapy or external radiation therapy to treat
thyroid cancer that has spread.
|
These are some questions a person may want to ask the doctor
before having surgery:
-
What kind of operation will I have?
-
How will I feel after the operation?
-
What will you do for me if I have pain?
-
How long will I be in the hospital?
-
Will I have any long-term effects?
-
When can I get back to my normal activities?
-
What will my scar look like?
-
What is my chance of a full recovery?
-
Will I need to take thyroid hormone pills?
-
How often will I need checkups? |
Radioactive iodine therapy (also called radioiodine therapy)
uses radioactive iodine (I-131) to destroy thyroid cancer cells anywhere
in the body. The therapy usually is given by mouth (liquid or capsules) in
a small dose that causes no problems for people who are allergic to
iodine. The intestine absorbs the I-131, which flows through the
bloodstream and collects in thyroid cells. Thyroid cancer cells remaining
in the neck and those that have spread to other parts of the body are
killed when they absorb I-131.
If the dose of I-131 is low enough, the patient usually receives I-131
as an outpatient. If the dose is high, the doctor may protect others from
radiation exposure by isolating the patient in the hospital during the
treatment. Most radiation is gone in a few days. Within 3 weeks, only
traces of radioactive iodine remain in the body.
Patients with medullary thyroid cancer or anaplastic thyroid cancer
generally do not receive I-131 treatment. These types of thyroid cancer
rarely respond to I-131 therapy.
Hormone treatment after surgery is usually part of the treatment
plan for papillary and follicular cancer. When a patient takes thyroid
hormone pills, the growth of any remaining thyroid cancer cells slows
down, which lowers the chance that the disease will return.
After surgery or I-131 therapy (which removes or destroys thyroid
tissue), people with thyroid cancer may need to take thyroid hormone pills
to replace the natural thyroid hormone.
|
People may want to ask these questions about radioactive iodine
(I-131) therapy or hormone therapy:
-
Why do I need this treatment?
-
What will it do?
-
Will I need to stay in the hospital for this treatment?
-
Will it cause side effects? What can I do about them?
-
How long will I be on this treatment?
-
How often will I need checkups? |
External radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) uses
high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. A large machine directs radiation
at the neck or at parts of the body where the cancer has spread.
External radiation therapy is local
therapy. It affects cancer cells only in the treated area.
External radiation therapy is used mainly to treat people with advanced
thyroid cancer that does not respond to radioactive iodine therapy. For
external radiation therapy, patients go to the hospital or clinic, usually
5 days a week for several weeks. External radiation may also be used to
relieve pain or other problems.
|
These are some questions a person may want to ask the doctor
before having external radiation therapy:
-
Why do I need this treatment?
-
When will the treatments begin? When will they end?
-
How will I feel during therapy? Are there side effects?
-
What can I do to take care of myself during therapy?
-
How will we know if the radiation is working?
-
Will I be able to continue my normal activities during
treatment?
-
How often will I need checkups? |
Chemotherapy, the use of drugs to kill cancer cells, is
sometimes used to treat thyroid cancer. Chemotherapy is known as systemic
therapy because the drugs enter the bloodstream and travel
throughout the body. For some patients, chemotherapy may be combined with
external radiation therapy.
|
Patients may want to ask these questions about chemotherapy:
-
Why do I need this treatment?
-
What will it do?
-
Will I have side effects? What can I do about them?
-
How long will I be on this treatment?
-
How often will I need
checkups? |
Side Effects of Thyroid Cancer Treatments
Because cancer treatment may damage healthy cells and tissues, unwanted
side effects sometimes occur. These side effects depend on many factors,
including the type and extent of the treatment. Side effects may not be
the same for each person, and they may even change from one treatment
session to the next. Before treatment starts, the health care team will
explain possible side effects and suggest ways to help the patient manage
them.
Surgery
Patients are often uncomfortable for the first few days after surgery.
However, medicine can usually control their pain. Patients should feel
free to discuss pain relief with the doctor or nurse. It is also common
for patients to feel tired or weak. The length of time it takes to recover
from an operation varies for each patient.
After surgery to remove the thyroid and nearby tissues or organs, such
as the parathyroid
glands, patients may need to take medicine (thyroid hormone) or
vitamin and mineral supplements (vitamin D and calcium) to replace the
lost functions of these organs. In a few cases, certain nerves or muscles
may be damaged or removed during surgery. If this happens, the patient may
have voice problems or one shoulder may be lower than the other.
Radioactive Iodine (I-131) Therapy
Some patients have nausea and vomiting on the first day of I-131
therapy. Thyroid tissue remaining in the neck after surgery may become
swollen and painful. If the thyroid cancer has spread to other parts of
the body, the I-131 that collects there may cause pain and swelling.
Patients also may have a dry mouth or lose their sense of taste or
smell for a short time after I-131 therapy. Chewing sugar-free gum or
sucking on sugar-free hard candy may help.
During treatment, patients are encouraged to drink lots of water and
other fluids. Because fluids help I-131 pass out of the body more quickly,
the bladder's exposure to I-131 is reduced.
Because radioactive iodine therapy destroys the cells that make thyroid
hormone, patients may need to take thyroid hormone pills to replace the
natural hormone.
A rare side effect in men who received large doses of I-131 is loss of
fertility.
In women, I-131 may not cause loss of fertility, but some doctors suggest
that women avoid pregnancy for one year after I-131 therapy.
Researchers have reported that a very small number of patients may
develop leukemia
years after treatment with high doses of I-131.
Hormone Treatment
Thyroid hormone pills seldom cause side effects. However, a few
patients may get a rash or lose some of their hair during the first months
of treatment.
The doctor will closely monitor the level of thyroid hormone in the
blood during followup visits. Too much thyroid hormone may cause patients
to lose weight and to feel hot and sweaty. It also may cause chest pain,
cramps, and diarrhea. (The doctor may call this condition "hyperthyroidism.")
If the thyroid hormone level is too low, the patient may gain weight, feel
cold, and have dry skin and hair. (The doctor may call this condition
"hypothyroidism.")
If necessary, the doctor will adjust the dose so that the patient takes
the right amount.
External Radiation Therapy
External radiation therapy may cause patients to become very tired as
treatment continues. Resting is important, but doctors usually advise
patients to try to stay as active as they can. In addition, when patients
receive external radiation therapy, it is common for their skin to become
red, dry, and tender in the treated area. When the neck is treated with
external radiation therapy, patients may feel hoarse or have trouble
swallowing. Other side effects depend on the area of the body that is
treated. If chemotherapy is given at the same time, the side effects may
worsen. The doctor can suggest ways to ease these problems.
Chemotherapy
The side effects of chemotherapy depend mainly on the specific drugs
that are used. The most common side effects include nausea and vomiting,
mouth sores, loss of appetite, and hair loss. Some side effects may be
relieved with medicine.
Followup Care
Followup care after treatment for thyroid cancer is an important part
of the overall treatment plan. Regular checkups ensure that any changes in
health are noted. Problems can be found and treated as soon as possible.
Checkups may include a careful physical exam, x-rays and other imaging
tests (such as a nuclear medicine scan), and laboratory tests (such as a
blood test for calcitonin). The doctor can explain the followup plan --
how often the patient must visit the doctor and which types of tests are
needed.
An important test after thyroid cancer treatment measures the level of
thyroglobulin
in the blood. Thyroid hormone is stored in the thyroid as thyroglobulin.
If the thyroid has been removed, there should be very little or no
thyroglobulin in the blood. A high level of thyroglobulin may mean that
thyroid cancer cells have returned.
For six weeks before the thyroglobulin test, patients must stop taking
their usual thyroid hormone pill. For part of this time, some patients may
take a different, shorter-lasting thyroid hormone pill. But all patients
must stop taking any type of thyroid hormone pill for the last two weeks
right before the test. Without adequate levels of thyroid hormone,
patients are likely to feel uncomfortable. They may gain weight and feel
very tired. It may be helpful to talk with the doctor or nurse about ways
to cope with such problems. After the test, patients go back to their
usual treatment with thyroid hormone pills.
The doctor may request an I-131 scan of the entire body. This may be
called a "diagnostic I-131 whole body scan." For a short time (usually six
weeks) before this scan, the patient stops taking thyroid hormone pills.
Thyroid cancer cells anywhere in the body will show up on the scan. After
the test, the doctor will tell the patient when to start taking thyroid
hormone pills again.
Support for People with Thyroid Cancer
Living with a serious disease such as cancer is not easy. Some people
find they need help coping with the emotional and practical aspects of
their disease. Support groups can help. In these groups, patients or their
family members get together to share what they have learned about coping
with the disease and the effects of treatment. Patients may want to talk
with a member of their health care team about finding a support group.
Groups may offer support in person, over the telephone, or on the
Internet.
People living with cancer may worry about caring for their families,
keeping their jobs, or continuing daily activities. Concerns about
treatments and managing side effects, hospital stays, and medical bills
are also common. Doctors, nurses, and other members of the health care
team can answer questions about treatment, working, or other activities.
Meeting with a social worker, counselor, or member of the clergy can be
helpful to those who want to talk about their feelings or discuss their
concerns. Often, a social worker can suggest resources for financial aid,
transportation, home care, or emotional support.
The Cancer Information Service can provide information to help patients
and their families locate programs, services, and publications.
The Promise of Cancer Research
Doctors all over the country are conducting many types of clinical
trials. These are research studies in which people take part voluntarily.
Studies include new ways to treat thyroid cancer. Research already has led
to advances, and researchers continue to search for more effective
approaches.
Patients who join these studies have the first chance to benefit from
treatments that have shown promise in earlier research. They also make an
important contribution to medical science by helping doctors learn more
about the disease. Although clinical trials may pose some risks,
researchers take very careful steps to protect their patients.
Patients who are interested in being part of a clinical trial should
talk with their doctor.
Keeping on Top of Your Condition
Keeping in tune with your disease or condition not only makes treatment less intimidating but also increases its chance of success, and has been shown to lower a patients risk of complications. As well, as an informed patient, you are better able to discuss your condition and treatment options with your physician.
A new service available to patients provides a convenient means of staying informed, and ensures that the information is both reliable and accurate. If you wish to find out more about HealthNewsflash's innovative service, take the tour.
