Patient Education - Endocrine Encyclopedia
Endocrine Surgery Encyclopedia
Definition:
Thyroid cancer is a malignancy (cancerous growth) of the thyroid gland.
Alternative Names: Tumor - thyroid; Cancer - thyroid
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
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.
Symptoms:
- Enlargement or a nodule of the thyroid gland or neck swelling
- Hoarseness or changing voice
- Cough or cough with bleeding
- Difficulty swallowing
Note: Symptoms may vary depending on the type of thyroid cancer Signs and tests:
A physical examination can reveal a thyroid mass or nodule (usually in the lower
part of the front of the neck) or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.
Tests that indicate thyroid cancer:
- Thyroid biopsy showing anaplastic, follicular, medullary or papillary carcinoma
cells
- Ultrasound of the thyroid revealing nodule
- Thyroid scan showing cold nodule (a nodule that does not light up on scan)
- Laryngoscopy showing paralyzed vocal cords
- Elevated serum calcitonin (for medullary cancer) or serum thyroglobulin (for
papillary or follicular cancer)
This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:
Treatment:
Treatment varies depending on the type of tumor.
Surgery is usually the treatment of choice, with usually the entire thyroid gland
removed. If the physician suspects that the cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the
neck, these will also be removed during surgery.
Radiation therapy with radioactive iodine is often used with or without surgery.
Radiation therapy with beam radiation can also be used.
After treatment, patients need to take thyroid hormone to replace what their glands
used to make. The dose is usually a little higher than what the body needs, which
helps keep the cancer from coming back.
If the cancer does not respond to surgery or radiation and has spread to other
parts of the body, chemotherapy may be used, but this is only effective for about
a third of patients.
Support Groups:
The stress of the illness can often be eased by joining a support group of people
who share common experiences and problems. See cancer - support group.
Expectations (prognosis):
Anaplastic carcinoma has the worst prognosis (probable outcome). One variety of this
cancer, the giant cell type, carries an expected life span of less than 6 months
after diagnosis.
Follicular carcinomas are often fast growing and may invade other tissues, but
the probable outcome is still good -- over 90% of patients are cured.
The outcome with medullary carcinoma varies. Women under 40 years old have a better
chance of a good outcome. The cure rate is 40-50%.
Papillary carcinomas are usually slower growing. Most people are cured (over 95%)
and have a normal life expectancy.
Complications:
- Low calcium levels from inadvertent removal of the parathyroid glands during surgery
- Injury to the voice box or nerve and hoarseness after surgery
- Metastasis to the lung or other body tissues or organs
Calling your health care provider:
Call your health care provider if you notice a nodule or mass in your neck.
Also call if symptoms worsen during treatment.
Prevention:
There is no known prevention. Awareness of risk (such as previous radiation therapy)
can allow earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Review Date: 5/3/2004
Reviewed By: Stephen Grund, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of Hematology & Oncology and Director
of the George Bray Cancer Center at New Britain General Hospital, New Britain, CT.
Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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