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 increases my risk for follicular thyroid cancer?
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If you have been exposed to radiation, you could be at risk for thyroid cancer. People who underwent radiation treatment for conditions such as acne may be at risk, as may those who have been exposed to nuclear radiation. Talk to your doctor if you think... Full Answer
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- Q Can follicular thyroid cancer be prevented?
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In some cases, your doctor may recommend preemptive surgery to remove the thyroid gland if you have a strong family history of thyroid disorders. If you are concerned about exposure to radiation causing thyroid cancer, you may be able to take potassium... Full Answer
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- Q How common is follicular thyroid cancer?
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Follicular thyroid cancer is the second most common form of thyroid cancer, after papillary thyroid cancer. Between ten and twenty percent of thyroid cancer cases are follicular thyroid cancer. This form of thyroid cancer is more likely to occur in... Full Answer
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- Q What causes follicular thyroid cancer?
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The specific cause of thyroid cancer is not clear. However, some environmental conditions could lead to the disease. Some people with thyroid cancer may have developed the disease due to exposure to radiation used during childhood to treat acne or other... Full Answer
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- Q Is follicular thyroid cancer serious?
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Thyroid cancer is serious, although it is treatable. Follicular thyroid cancer is a bit more serious than papillary thyroid cancer because it can spread through the blood stream as opposed to through the lymph nodes. However, with the right treatment you... Full Answer
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- Q Should I talk to my doctor about my thyroid cancer symptoms?
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If you experience any symptoms of thyroid cancer, it's a good idea to see your doctor. Since thyroid cancer is not a common disease, your doctor will likely perform tests to rule out other problems first. However, it is important to note that diagnosing... Full Answer
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- Q What are my chances of surviving thyroid cancer?
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Dr. Patrick Maguire, OncologyThe lifetime risk of a thyroid cancer diagnosis is about 0.9%, or one in 110 people. The overall survival for thyroid cancer five years after diagnosis for all stages combined is 97%, according to National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology... Full Answer
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- Q What does it mean if a biopsy indicates thyroid cancer?
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A diagnosis of cancer on biopsy is about 95 to 98% accurate. Typically, when the fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) demonstrates a cancer, it is either a papillary thyroid cancer (most common) or a medullary thyroid cancer. Most thyroid cancers... Full Answer
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- Q What happens when thyroid cancer metastasizes?
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Thyroid cancer may spread (metastasize) to the lymph nodes, lungs, bone and occasionally brain. Sometimes, thyroid cancer is very large and starts growing into structures in the neck, such as the windpipe (trachea), the food pipe (esophagus),... Full Answer
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