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There are several types of treatments available for thyroid cancer. The type of treatment you will undergo depends on the type and stage of thyroid cancer, your preference, and your general health. Quite often, more than one type of treatment is required. The most common types of treatments are surgery, hormone therapy, radioactive iodine, external radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, and palliative care.
Surgery
For most types of thyroid cancer, surgery is the first treatment. There are several surgical options to treat thyroid cancer. The surgery your doctor may suggest depends on the type of thyroid cancer you have, whether cancer has spread, and the size of cancer. Common surgical options include:
Thyroidectomy – this operation may involve removing the entire thyroid gland (total thyroidectomy) or most of the thyroid gland (near-total or subtotal thyroidectomy).
Thyroid lobectomy – during a thyroid lobectomy, your thyroid glands lobe with the cancerous nodule is removed.
Lymph node dissection – when your surgeon removes your thyroid, nearby lymph nodes in the neck may also be removed.
All types of surgery are performed under general anesthesia.
Hormone therapy
After surgery, thyroid hormone therapy may be necessary to replace the hormone your thyroid would normally produce. In addition, hormone therapy may slow down the growth of any remaining cancer cells. It works by suppressing your pituitary gland from producing thyroid-stimulating hormone.
Hormone therapy typically involves taking a pill daily, at the same time every day, so that your body receives a consistent supply.
Radioactive iodine
Radioactive treatment is usually used after thyroidectomy. This type of treatment is used to kill any healthy thyroid tissue that may remain, along with some areas of thyroid cancer that were not removed during surgery. It is also used to treat thyroid cancer that has spread to other areas of the body or recurs after treatment. Radioactive iodine is given in either pill or liquid form.
External radiation therapy
This is another type of radiation therapy that uses a machine that aims high-energy beams, such as protons and X-rays, at precise points on your body. It is usually suggested if surgery is not an option or if your cancer still grows even after radioactive iodine treatment or if there is a risk that your cancer will recur.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses chemicals to destroy cancer cells. It is typically given intravenously (infusion through a vein). The chemicals can travel all around your body and killing quickly growing cancer cells. This procedure is not common for thyroid cancer. However, it is sometimes recommended for those with anaplastic thyroid cancer.
Targeted drug therapy
This type of treatment focuses on specific abnormalities present within the cancer cells. It can kill cancer cells by blocking these abnormalities. For thyroid cancer, this therapy targets the signals telling cancer cells to grow and divide.
Palliative care
This is specialized medical care that focuses on providing relief from the symptoms that thyroid cancer may bring. It can be used while you undergo other treatments, such as surgery or radiation therapy.
After any surgical procedure, you may need to stay in the hospital for 3 to 5 days and stay in Greece for about 7 to 14 days. For hormone therapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and chemotherapy, your length of stay depends on how many therapy cycles are required for your case. Your medical team/medical travel team will be able to advise you on this matter.
After surgery, you will need to rest for several weeks after surgery. Most people are able to return to work within 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. For any type of therapy, you may need to rest for a few days until you can resume your normal activities.
Your medical team will give you special instructions to care for yourself at home after each type of treatment. The instructions may include a special diet, exercises, medications to take, restrictions, and wound care (for surgical procedures).
You may also need to attend regular checkups to ensure that cancer has not come back.
Treatment for thyroid cancer is safe and effective. In many cases, it can cure thyroid cancer completely. However, cancer may still come back even after treatment.
All types of thyroid cancer treatment carry some potential risks and side effects, including infection, bleeding, and damage to the parathyroid glands, nausea, neck pain, and swelling.
Taking part in a clinical trial of newer treatments can be an alternative to the thyroid cancer treatments mentioned above. A clinical trial is a study used to develop new treatments for cancer.
Before surgery, your thyroid cancer may cause painful symptoms. It has a high risk of spreading to other areas of your body and may be life-threatening. Having thyroid cancer can decrease your quality of life. After successful treatment, your thyroid cancer may be cured completely.
Whilst the information presented here has been accurately sourced and verified by a medical professional for its accuracy, it is still advised to consult with your doctor before pursuing a medical treatment at one of the listed medical providers
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Located at the very bottom of the Balkan Peninsula, Greece is a mesmerizing blend of sun-drenched islands and historical marvels. Boasting approximately 2,000 islands, an impressive 170 among them are inhabited and teeming with life. Greece's geographical charm has been nowhere short of a magnet to travelling enthusiasts, pulling in a spectacular count of over 24 million wanderlust-struck visitors each passing year.
Greece turns out to be a preferred hotspot for a particular category of globe-trotters. Travelers come from the farthest stretches of the world seeking its array of top-tier beaches to soak up the sun, the warm ocean for an invigorating dip, the array of ancient relics for their history fix, and to immerse into an engaging culture. The universal allure of Greece, seemingly, never ceases to captivate the hearts of explorers worldwide.
The upward shift in Greece's status as a medical tourism hub has been quite noticeable in recent years. Medical tourists are being increasingly drawn to the country, a relative newcomer in the industry, due to a myriad of reasons. One of the core attractions is its health care system, which holds a high rank on the global scale. However, in spite of boasting of world-class standards, the medical services in Greece are pleasantly affordable. In fact, it flaunts some of the most pocket-friendly medical care prices across Europe and even globally.
The medical services that Greece provides run a comprehensive gamut. Cosmetic surgery and fertility treatments are particularly sought-after medical services, favoured by numerous medical tourists. Orthopedics also sees a consistent flow of patients, along with cardiac care procedures. The well-established oral and dental sector in Greece is another popular draw for people wanting to combine their medical treatments with a relaxing vacation. The availability of such diverse, high quality, yet affordable healthcare options certainly puts Greece on the map as a promising medical tourism destination.
The captivating city of Athens, the crown jewel of Greece, presents a dazzling blend of antiquated splendor, enchanting landscapes, and a vibrant modern core. The capital prides itself in harboring an unparalleled assortment of Greek ruins and antiques. Prime among them is the Acropolis, an iconic ancient citadel perched on a rocky outcrop. The Greek Agora, a central public space in ancient Greek city-states, adds an extra charm to Athens’ archaeological grandeur.
On the other hand, the striking island of Santorini stands as another touristic magnet in Greece. Admired far and wide, it carries the reputation of being the most breathtaking island in the country. The enormous allure of Santorini with its distinctive architecture, caldera views, and famous sunsets, keeps it perennially embedded in the bucket lists of travelers worldwide. From the captivating capital of Athens to the charming Santorini, Greece exhibits alluring facets that are truly hard to resist.
It is best known for its unique landscape and cliff-top towns. While Santorini is the most spectacular, Mykonos is the most glamorous. It is noted for its classy seafood restaurants and boutique hotels. Some of the most famous attractions in Mykonos, besides its beaches, are Paraportiani and Little Venice.
Set on the Mediterranean, Greece experiences a climate that is typically balmy and sun-soaked throughout the year with a cycle of four distinct seasons. Summers, spanning June to August, bring about warm and agreeable temperatures. This peak season draws in a large number of tourists, making it an ideal time to take a dive into the azure seas.
As September ushers in the fall season, the weather across Greece turns cooler but largely stays clear. On the flip side, winters starting from December to February reveal a different picture. Coastal cities remain warm but the country's northern regions experience significantly lower temperatures, occasionally even witnessing snowfall.
As March marks the arrival of spring, the weather begins to warm up again, though evenings can retain a cool nip in the air. Each season has its unique charm and adds to the overall allure of Greece.
Athens International Airport holds the distinction of being the largest and busiest hub for international air travel in Greece. This is typically the point of arrival and departure for a majority of international tourists exploring Greece. The extensive network of this airport caters to both domestic and international flights, connecting many global cities like Dubai, London, Moscow, and New York to the heart of Greece.
Among affordable means of transport, the ferry services stand out, particularly for travelling among the islands. They run on a frequent basis, with services especially ramped up during the sun-soaked summer months. For land travel, buses come across as largely comfortable and hassle-free, although the network is somewhat limited.
For intra-city travel within major Greek metropolises, the extensive network of buses and trolleybuses prove to be reliable options. Particularly in Athens, the capital city, the metro and tram systems offer additional efficient and cost-effective ways to explore the local attractions. Additionally, taxis, which are conveniently available quite everywhere, turn out to be extremely pocket-friendly. Whether hopping between islands or navigating city streets, Greece offers a range of transportation options to suit the needs and budgets of different travelers.
Greece is part of the Schengen Area, which means that citizens of most countries can travel to Greece without a visa for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Citizens of the following countries do not need a visa to visit Greece:
Citizens of all other countries need to obtain a visa to visit Greece.
You can apply for a Greek tourist visa at the Greek embassy or consulate in your home country. The visa application process can vary depending on the country where you are applying, but there are some general requirements that all applicants must meet, such as having a valid passport, proof of onward travel, and proof of financial means.