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Thyroid Cancer: An Overview

© Keri

Approximately 11,000 cases of thyroid cancer are identified each year. Three out of four cases occur in women. Thyroid cancer is most common between the ages of 25-50. Thyroid cancer usually does not have symptoms. Occasionally, one may experience hoarseness, neck pain or enlarged lymph glands.

Most thyroid nodules are found during a routine physical. As many as 10% of the population have thyroid nodules. Only 5% of those are cancerous. The others are benign (not cancer). Still, any lumps or nodules on the neck should be checked by a healthcare provider.

Ultrasound (sonography) and fine needle biopsy are used to rule out thyroid cancer.

According to the Thyroid Cancer page at http://endocrine.web there are four types of thyroid cancer, listed in order of occurrence:

• Papillary and mixed papillary/follicular ~ 75%
• Follicular and Hurthle cell ~ 15%
• Medullary ~ 7%
• Anaplastic ~ 3%

The good news is that, in general, thyroid cancer is one of the most curable. Papillary and follicular nodules are usually more localized and have about a 95% cure rate in younger patients. The treatment generally consists of removing all or part of the thyroid gland. Medullary has a worse cure rate because it tends to spread to the lymph glands quickly. Treatment for medullary cancer is more agressive and usually involves removal of the thyroid and lymph glands. It may include treatment with radioiodine to irradicate any remaining cells. Anaplastic cancer has the worst cure rate. It tends to spread quickly and it is difficult to remove the whole tumor.

Treatment for cancer of the thyroid is unique to the individual case. It depends on many factors including the type of cancer and the stage. It is not a textbook decision but one that must be discussed with the patient, surgeon, and others on the healthcare team.

Sources:

• Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association
• American Cancer Society's Thyroid Cancer Resource Center
• Thyroid Cancer Patient information from the National Cancer Institute
• Thyroid Cancer at endocrineweb.com

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