Treatment change for thyroid cancer patients

A NEWCASTLE-LED study is to lead to a worldwide change in thyroid cancer care and will remove what is often the “worst part” of treatment for patients.

- SAM VOLPE

Freeman Hospital oncologist Dr Ujjal Mallick has led the research along with colleagues at UCL and the Royal Marsden.

The research the result of a trial called “Iodine or Not” has been published in the Lancet medical journal. Dr Mallick and colleagues have found that low-risk patients do not need to be given a course of iodine radiation following surgery.

Cancer survivor and charity founder Kate Farnell said it was “absolutely huge” news.

The standard treatment for thyroid cancer is to have the thyroid gland removed, followed by a course of iodine radiotherapy which can be incredibly tough on patients. This requires several days of isolation in a radiotherapy room at hospital, followed by more time where precautions - including avoiding children - often must be taken.