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 Is anaplastic thyroid cancer serious?
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Anaplastic thyroid cancer is a serious disease that is difficult to treat. The most uncommon form of thyroid cancer, it spreads rapidly and can invade other parts of the body. Despite aggressive surgery and drug treatment plans, most people diagnosed... Full Answer
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- Q What is a trachea evaluation for thyroid cancer?
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A trachea evaluation may include a CAT scan or bronchoscopy (small tube with a camera on the end) and may be done if a large thyroid is pushing on the trachea (windpipe). A large mass may cause a deviation or a narrowing of the trachea. In cases... Full Answer
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- Q What is a vocal cord evaluation for thyroid cancer?
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A vocal cord evaluation determines how well the nerves that go to the vocal cords are working. The evaluation of the vocal cords is done with a flexible laryngoscope (small tube with a camera on the end) in the office. This procedure is called a... Full Answer
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- Q Are there alternative treatments for follicular thyroid cancer?
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If you have thyroid cancer, you will need to follow your doctor's recommendations for treatment. Treatment will likely include surgery, and you may need radiation or chemotherapy afterwards. There are no known, reliable alternative treatments for thyroid... Full Answer
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- Q How is follicular thyroid carcinoma treated?
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The right treatment for thyroid cancer will depend on how far your cancer has spread. Most likely you will need to have a thyroidectomy to surgically remove your thyroid gland. After surgery, you may need radiation treatment to kill any remaining... Full Answer
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- Q How do medications treat follicular thyroid cancer?
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Your doctor may recommend that you inject radioactive iodine to treat any thyroid cancer cells in your body that could not be removed during surgery. You will swallow radioactive iodine either as a pill or as a liquid. If your doctor is concerned that... Full Answer
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- Q Is there a cure for follicular thyroid cancer?
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Several treatment options can cure thyroid cancer. You will likely need to have your thyroid surgically removed, and may need additional treatment afterwards. Radiation and chemotherapy can kill cancer cells that cannot be removed surgically. However,... Full Answer
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- Q What are the symptoms of follicular thyroid cancer?
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It may take a while of the symptoms of thyroid cancer to become apparent. You may feel a lump in your neck. You may also have trouble breathing or swallowing if thyroid cancer is pressing against your trachea or esophagus, or have trouble speaking if... Full Answer
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- Q How are tissues biopsied for thyroid cancer diagnosis?
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Your doctor may take tissue for a biopsy in one of two ways: * Fine-needle aspiration: Most people have this type of biopsy. Your doctor removes a sample of tissue from a thyroid nodule with a thin needle. An ultrasound device can help... Full Answer
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- Q What follow-up care will I need for thyroid cancer?
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Follow-up is crucial for all patients with thyroid cancer because thyroid cancer can return (recur), even many years after successful initial treatment. It is important that you choose your surgeon and endocrinologist carefully, as both of these... Full Answer
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