Standard Treatment The treatment is virtually identical to that for Stage I. The only difference between the two stages is the spread to lymph nodes . Removal of these metastases usually by a functional or modified radical neck dissection reduces the chance of local recurrence and minimally improves survival.
Five-Year Survival Over 95 percent
Stage III
The tumor has invaded the tissues of the neck.
Standard Treatment Total thyroidectomy, plus removal of all apparent areas of cancer that have spread to the neck (debulking). After surgery, radioactive iodine should be given if the tumor takes up this isotope. If the uptake is minimal or absent, external radiation may be given.
Five-Year Survival 60 percent
Stage IV
There are distant metastases, usually to lungs, bone and distant lymph nodes.
