Thyroid cancer can occur in all age groups. People who have had radiation therapy to the neck are at higher risk. This therapy was commonly used in the 1950s to treat enlarged thymus glands, adenoids and tonsils, and skin disorders. People who received radiation therapy as children have a higher incidence of thyroid cancer.
Other risk factors are a family history of thyroid cancer and chronic goiter. The disease affects 1 in 1,000 people.
There are several types of thyroid cancer:
Papillary carcinoma is the most common and usually affects women of child-bearing age. It metastasizes (spreads from the original site) slowly and is the least malignant type of thyroid cancer.
Follicular carcinoma accounts for about 30% of all cases and has a greater rate of recurrence and metastasis.
Medullary carcinoma is a cancer of non-thyroid cells in the thyroid gland and tends to occur in families. It requires different treatment from other types of thyroid cancer.
Anaplastic carcinoma (also called giant and spindle cell cancer) is the most malignant form of thyroid cancer. It is rare, but does not respond to radioiodine therapy. Anaplastic carcinoma metastasizes quickly and invades nearby structures such as the trachea, causing compression and breathing difficulties.
Thyroid cancer - papillary carcinoma (5 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Papillary carcinoma of the thyroid is the most common cancer of the thyroid gland. See also: Thyroid cancer Reviewer: William Matsui, MD, Assistant Professor of Oncology, Division of HematologicMalignancies, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at JohnsHopkins, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 02/07/2006
Medullary carcinoma of thyroid (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid is cancer of the thyroid gland that starts in cells that release a hormone called calcitonin. Such cells are called "C" cells. Reviewer: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/31/2006
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is an aggressive form of cancer of the thyroid gland. Reviewer: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided byVeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/26/2006
Thyroid excisional biopsy (3 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
The thyroid is an endocrine gland located in front of the trachea (windpipe) in the neck. In an excisional biopsy, a section of thyroid tissue is removed for diagnostic examination. Reviewer: Brendan T. Campbell, M.D., MPH, Department of Surgery, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, AR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 12/22/2004
Parathyroidectomy (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Parathyroidectomy is surgery to remove parathyroid glands or parathyroid tumors. Reviewer: J.A. Lee, M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/16/2006
Thyroid diseases (4 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
The thyroid gland is located in the base of the neck on both sides of the lower part of the voice box (larynx) and upper part of the wind pipe (trachea. The thyroid produces chemicals (hormones) that help the body control metabolism. Thyroid hormone is also produced in response to another hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. There are four main types of thyroid disease: Hyperthyroidism - too much thyroid hormone; Hypothyroidism - too little thyroid hormone; Benign (non-cancerous) thyroid disease; Thyroid cancer. For information about a specific type of thyroid disease see one of the following: Anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid; Chronic thyroiditis (Hashimoto's disease; Colloid nodular goiter; Hyperthyroidism; Hypopituitarism; Hypothyroidism; Hypothyroidism - primary; Hypothyroidism - secondary; Medullary thyroid carcinoma; Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) II; Painless (silent) thyroiditis; Papillary carcinoma of the thyroid; Subacute thyroiditis; Thyroid cancer; Congenital goiter. Reviewer: Robert Hurd, M.D., Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/25/2006
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