Radiation induced cancers in IMRT patients isn't a big risk. and it won't be in your thyroid. Even if it did occur there you can live without it with no real change in your life. The removal is a minor surgery if it went south. Cancer transformation is a matter of genetic mutation. Functioning or non functioning thyroid is a non issue. It is a cellular change and not related to function of the organ the cells are in.

There are many reasons for recurrence. Radiation is not one of them. That would cause a unique and second primary like osteosarcoma of the mandible.

Live your life, worry about recurrence less. You are not going to prevent it if it is in your future, so unnecessary worrying only lowers your immunity and screws up the rest of your life that could be spent thinking about positive things.

Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.