Thyroid Cancer
When cancer invades the thyroid gland, it interferes with our body's ability to make hormones that control our heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and weight.
Although there are 4 types of thyroid cancer, the most common is papillary (PA-pih-LAYR-ee) thyroid cancer. A slow forming disease, papillary thyroid cancer typically strikes between the ages of 30 and 50, and affects women more than men.
You are at greater risk of developing this disease if you have a personal or family history of goiters, have been exposed to high levels of radiation in the past, or certain genetic endocrine diseases.
See your doctor if you notice a lump in your neck, feel hoarse or have trouble breathing or swallowing. This may be a sign cancer has affected your thyroid, which is located at the base of the throat near your windpipe. Early detection and treatment make this one of the least deadly cancers in the U.S.
Recently Answered
- Q What are the types of thyroid cancer?
-
Dr. Patrick Maguire, OncologyWhile there are multiple types of thyroid cancer, the most common types are papillary and follicular, both of which are called well differentiated thyroid cancers. Hurthle cell carcinoma is less common as is the medullary type, the latter being... Full Answer
4 Answers
A
- Q What is the treatment for follicular thyroid cancer?
-
The best treatment for Follicular and Hürthle cell cancers is a total thyroidectomy (i.e. removal of the whole thyroid); however, most patients diagnosed with this type of cancer will initially present with a Follicular or Hürthle cell neoplasm... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q What are the symptoms of thyroid cancer?
-
Dr. Patrick Maguire, OncologyThe majority of thyroid cancer patients are asymptomatic (have no symptoms). About 75% of patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer present to their doctor with a neck mass. Others are found to have a mass palpable on routine physical examination by their... Full Answer
5 Answers
A
- Q What is primary thyroid lymphoma?
-
Primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) is a rare type of thyroid cancer. It arises from special blood cells called lymphocytes. PTL accounts for 1 to 5% of all thyroid cancers, 1 to 2% of all lymphomas outside of lymph nodes, and has an annual incidence... Full Answer
2 Answers
A
- Q Is thyroid cancer common?
-
Thyroid cancer is relatively uncommon compared with other forms of cancer, accounting for 1.6 percent of all cancers diagnosed in the United States. An estimated 20,700 cases will be diagnosed in 2002. The number of new cases is about 16 times the... Full Answer
2 Answers
A
- Q What are the symptoms of anaplastic thyroid cancer?
-
The symptoms of anaplastic thyroid cancer do not show up until the disease is in its later stages. Once the tumor begins to grow, it grows quickly and becomes painful. Besides the tumor, which can easily be felt by pressing on the skin of the neck, other... Full Answer
2 Answers
A
- Q How is papillary thyroid cancer diagnosed?
-
Your doctor may be able to diagnose thyroid cancer simply by feeling your neck during a physical examination. Blood tests can measure the level of thyroid hormones in your blood. An ultrasound or thyroid scan can allow your doctor to see an image of your... Full Answer
2 Answers
A
- Q What are symptoms of primary thyroid lymphoma?
-
Patients with primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) typically present with a rapidly growing thyroid mass and may experience hoarseness, difficulty breathing or, less commonly, significant swallowing problems. The growth of the thyroid tends to be much... Full Answer
2 Answers
A
- Q Can thyroid cancer reoccur?
-
Although thyroid cancer recurrence is not common, there are many treatment options available if it happens. If a cancer recurrence is detected in the neck lymph nodes, the best course of action is usually an operation to remove the affected node(s) or... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q What are follicular and Hurthle cell thyroid cancers?
-
Follicular and Hurthle cell cancers are two different types of cancer, but they are often considered in the same category. Together, these cancers are the second most common thyroid cancer, after papillary cancer. They can occur at any age, but are more... Full Answer
2 Answers
A
