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Thyroid Cancer
Your Thyroid Cancer Treatment in Tunisia at Affordable Prices
Our teams combine surgery, endocrinology and post-operative follow-up for comprehensive and secure care.
How does it work?
What is the Thyroid?
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck, just below your Adam’s apple. This gland produces thyroid hormone, which travels in your blood to all parts of your body. Thyroid hormone controls your body’s metabolism in several ways, including how quickly you burn calories and how fast your heart beats.
What is Thyroid Cancer?
Thyroid cancer occurs when cancerous cells form in the tissues of the thyroid gland. Most people with thyroid cancer have a thyroid nodule that doesn’t cause any symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you may have a swelling or lump in your neck. The lump may cause swallowing problems. Some people have a hoarse voice. To find out if the lump or nodule is cancerous, your doctor will order some tests. Most thyroid nodules are not cancerous.
Price of Thyroid Cancer Treatment in Tunisia
Thyroid cancer treatment has been performed in Tunisia for years. We have state-of-the-art medical facilities, and you will be cared for by internationally renowned cancer surgeons, as well as oncologists and radiotherapists. Depending on the case, the medical protocol will be determined. A thyroid ablation may be sufficient, but other treatments may also be preferred. It is therefore difficult to give an estimated price for thyroid cancer treatment.
Your health, our priority.
Request your free quote.
Total or Partial Thyroidectomy
Thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove part or all of the thyroid gland, located at the base of the neck. Total thyroidectomy involves the complete removal of the gland, while partial thyroidectomy (or lobectomy) involves the excision of a single thyroid lobe or a portion of the gland. This operation is often recommended to treat conditions such as benign or malignant thyroid nodules, multinodular goiter, or hyperthyroidism. The decision between a total or partial thyroidectomy depends on several factors, including the nature and extent of the disease, biopsy results, and residual thyroid function. Recovery after a thyroidectomy can vary, but most patients can resume their normal activities within a few weeks. However, those who have undergone a total thyroidectomy will require lifelong hormone replacement therapy to compensate for the loss of thyroid function.
Who is at Risk for Thyroid Cancer?
About three times as many women get thyroid cancer as men. The number of women with thyroid cancer is also increasing.
Thyroid cancer is more common in women who:
- Are between 25 and 65 years old;
- Have had radiation therapy to the head or neck, especially at a young age to treat cancer;
- Have had a goiter;
- Have a family history of thyroid cancer;
Can Thyroid Cancer Be Treated in Tunisia?
There is extensive experience in the treatment of thyroid cancer in Tunisia. The primary treatment for thyroid cancer is thyroid surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid gland. Surgery alone can cure thyroid cancer if the cancer is localized and has not yet spread to the lymph nodes. Your doctor may also recommend radiotherapy after surgery. Radiotherapy destroys any thyroid cancer cells that were not removed during surgery or that have spread to other parts of the body. In most cases, the patient’s medical file is managed by a cancer surgeon, a radiotherapist and a specialist in oncology.
Do you need a specialist's opinion?
Organizing Thyroid Cancer Treatment in Tunisia
With Tunisia Destination Santé, your medical tourism agency in Tunisia, organizing your thyroid cancer treatment is simple. Your file will be studied by a multidisciplinary team, namely the cancer surgeon, a chemotherapist and a radiotherapist. Our team is always at your disposal to assist you throughout the procedure. Do not hesitate to contact us to begin the process and to request a free quote.
Complications of Thyroidectomy Surgery
Although thyroidectomy is generally considered a safe procedure, it carries risks of complications like any surgical operation. The most common complications include infections, bleeding, and hematomas at the surgical site. A complication specific to this procedure is the risk of injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerves, which can result in hoarseness or difficulty speaking. There is also a risk of damage to the parathyroid glands, small glands located near the thyroid, which can cause hypocalcemia, or a decrease in blood calcium levels. Patients may also experience some pain and discomfort in the neck area during the recovery period. In the case of a total thyroidectomy, the absence of the thyroid gland necessitates lifelong hormone replacement therapy to maintain a normal metabolism. Rigorous medical follow-up after the operation is essential to monitor and manage these complications, thus ensuring optimal recovery and a satisfactory quality of life.
What are the Types of Thyroid Cancer?
Thyroid cancer is classified based on the type of cells from which the cancer develops. Types of thyroid cancer include:
- Papillary: Up to 80% of all thyroid cancers are papillary. This type of cancer grows slowly. While papillary thyroid cancer often spreads to the lymph nodes in the neck, the disease responds very well to treatment. Papillary thyroid cancer is highly curable and rarely fatal;
- Follicular: Follicular thyroid cancer accounts for up to 15% of thyroid cancer diagnoses. This cancer is more likely to spread to the bones and organs, such as the lungs. Metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread) can be more difficult to treat;
- Medullary: About 2% of thyroid cancers are medullary. One-quarter of people with medullary thyroid cancer have a family history of the disease. A faulty gene (genetic mutation) may be to blame;
- Anaplastic: This aggressive thyroid cancer is the most difficult type to treat. It can develop quickly and often spreads into nearby tissues and other parts of the body. This rare type of cancer accounts for about 2% of thyroid cancer diagnoses;
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What Causes Thyroid Cancer?
Experts don’t know why some cells become cancerous (malignant) and attack the thyroid. Certain factors, such as radiation exposure, a diet low in iodine, and faulty genes can increase the risk.
What are the Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer?
You or your healthcare professional might feel a lump or swelling in your neck called a thyroid nodule. Don’t panic if you have a thyroid nodule. Most nodules are benign (not cancerous). Only about three out of every 20 thyroid nodules turn out to be cancerous (malignant).
Other signs of thyroid cancer include:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing;
- Voice loss (hoarseness);
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck;
Contact and Quote Request for Thyroid Cancer Surgery
If you want to organize thyroid cancer surgery in Tunisia, trust the professionals at Tunisia Destination Santé. We accompany you step by step in the preparation of your file and the organization of your stay. Our team is at your disposal to assist and guide you through all the procedures. Do not hesitate to contact us for more information and to request a free, no-obligation quote.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, some thyroid cancers can cause fluctuations in thyroid hormone production, leading to symptoms of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
People with Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune thyroiditis, have a slightly increased risk of developing thyroid cancer, particularly papillary carcinoma.
Yes, although rare, thyroid cancer can metastasize to other parts of the body, including the lungs and bones, especially in more aggressive forms like anaplastic carcinoma.
Iodine deficiency or excess can affect thyroid function. Iodine deficiency is a risk factor for some types of thyroid cancer, while excess iodine may be associated with more aggressive forms of the disease.
Often overlooked precursor signs include pain in the neck or throat, persistent hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and a cough unrelated to a cold.
Prior exposure to radiation, especially during childhood, increases the risk of developing thyroid cancer. This includes therapeutic radiation and environmental radiation.
Genetic testing can identify specific mutations, such as those in the RET or BRAF genes, which are associated with an increased risk of certain types of thyroid cancer, particularly medullary carcinoma.
Yes, many cases of thyroid cancer are discovered incidentally during imaging examinations for other medical reasons, as these cancers are often asymptomatic in the early stages.
Managing thyroid cancer during pregnancy requires a delicate balance to protect both the mother and the fetus. Treatment options may be limited, and the timing of interventions must be carefully planned.
Recent treatments for refractory thyroid cancer include targeted therapies such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which specifically target genetic mutations present in cancer cells, thus improving treatment response rates.
