Thyroid cancer treatment with chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is mainly used to treat metastatic or inoperable aggressive thyroid cancer. It is often carried out simultaneously with radiation therapy if cancer has recurred or other methods have failed. Tumor cells have a metabolism different from healthy ones. Since malignant cells grow much faster and do not have time to mature, they are more vulnerable to the effects of toxins. During chemotherapy, drugs are selected individually. Toxic substances are injected in a dosage that is most effective for the tumor but less harmful for normal cells. At the same time, many parameters are considered, both related to the patient's general condition (concomitant diseases, age, etc. ) and the features of the thyroid tumor (type, cellular composition, immunological characteristics, etc. ). The drugs are administered intravenously. Once in the bloodstream, they spread throughout the body and destroy cancer. All medications can be injected once every 3-4 weeks or weekly, depending on each patient's dosages of chemotherapeutic drugs selected individually. Breaks between courses are necessary to recover after the action of a toxic substance. The potential undesirable consequences are affected by the dose of drugs, their quantity, and the patient's reaction. Side effects include diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, and gastrointestinal disorders (vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite).