Thyroid Cancer

The butterfly-shaped thyroid gland in your neck produces hormones responsible for regulating blood pressure, body temperature and weight, among many other important aspects of your health. Early stages of thyroid cancer usually don’t present symptoms.

That’s why you want to talk with your doctor about getting an exact diagnosis from the leading thyroid cancer experts at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center in Oklahoma City.

Nationally Recognized Thyroid Cancer Care

At Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Cancer Center, you’ll collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of cancer experts for a precise diagnosis, innovative treatment and effective management of thyroid cancer and other types of head and neck cancers. You benefit from the latest advanced imaging technology to support the accurate diagnosis that helps identify and treat your condition as early as possible.

Thyroid Cancers We Treat

Thyroid cancer categories reflect the type of cells found in the tumor. At Stephenson Cancer Center, you’ll get the comprehensive care you need for all types of thyroid cancer, including:

• Papillary thyroid cancer – Most common; forms in follicular cells that produce and store hormones; usually affects people ages 30 and 50
• Follicular thyroid cancer – Also forms in follicular cells; usually affects people over 50
• Anaplastic thyroid cancer – Rare and more aggressive type; forms in follicular cells; usually occurs in people over 60
• Medullary thyroid cancer – Forms in thyroid cells that produce calcitonin hormone; rising calcitonin levels often make it easier to detect in early stages

Individualized Thyroid Cancer Treatment

During your treatment at Stephenson Cancer Center, you and your care team will develop a detailed treatment plan tailored to your specific situation. Your plan may select from a wide range of treatment options, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.

Cancer Surgery at OU Health

Learn more about cancer surgery at Stephenson Cancer Center and explore other surgery services at OU Health.

Cancer Navigation Services

Throughout your journey at Stephenson Cancer Center, your care team includes a nurse navigator, a specially trained registered nurse (RN) who acts as your personal advocate and adds an extra layer of support. Learn more about cancer navigation services.

Supportive Care Services

You also gain access to extensive supportive care services, such as genetic counseling, nutritional therapy, support groups, palliative care, cancer education workshops, and symptom and pain management. And you’ll find all your cancer-related services in a bright, welcoming, up-to-date facility close to home and designed for your comfort and convenience.

Clinical Trials for Advanced Treatment

In Stephenson Cancer Center’s comprehensive program, you also may qualify to participate in cancer clinical trials as part of the National Cancer Institute’s National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN), giving you early access to today’s newest drugs and potential breakthrough treatments before they become widely available.

Your Thyroid Cancer Care Team

From your first contact with Stephenson Cancer Center, you become a vital part of our multidisciplinary team approach that brings you together with a variety of cancer specialists, such as medical oncologists, cancer surgeons, pathologists, radiologists and others, to ensure you receive the best care for your particular condition.