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What is Thyroid Cancer?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Thyroid cancer is a form of cancer which appears in the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck. The prognosis for patients with thyroid cancer is often quite good, especially when the condition is diagnosed early. In addition to a group of tumorous cancers which attack the thyroid gland, a form of lymphoma which focuses on the thyroid is also sometimes seen in medical practice.

There are four types of thyroid cancer in addition to thyroid lymphoma: medullary, follicular, papillary, and anaplastic. Anaplastic is the most aggressive form, and it can metastasize rapidly to the neighboring windpipe and lungs if it is not caught early. Fortunately, a very small proportion of thyroid cancer cases are anaplastic, with 95% of patients developing follicular or papillary thyroid cancer.

Swollen lymph nodes are common in people with thyroid cancer.
Swollen lymph nodes are common in people with thyroid cancer.

This cancer is usually detected when a patient presents with a small nodule in the thyroid gland. While the vast majority of thyroid nodules are benign, a doctor may decide to test the nodule to confirm this, usually through the use of a biopsy, in which a small sample of the nodule is taken and sent away for testing. Patients may also complain of neck pain, hoarseness, or difficulty breathing and swallowing, and some also experience enlarged lymph nodes.

Treatment for thyroid cancer typically requires removal of the thyroid.
Treatment for thyroid cancer typically requires removal of the thyroid.

If a biopsy confirms that a patient has thyroid cancer, the treatment is surgical removal of the thyroid, followed by ingestion of radioactive iodine. The thyroid readily absorbs iodine, so the radioactive material will be quickly absorbed by any remaining thyroid tissue in the body, killing the cancer cells. Patients may also undergo a thyroid scan periodically, in which a doctor checks for recurrence of the cancer. Finally, because the thyroid produces hormones which are critical to bodily function, thyroid cancer patients must take replacement hormones for the rest of their lives. Without replacements, patients will develop hypothyroidism, a condition caused by insufficient hormone production.

A radioactive form of iodine can be used to help treat thyroid cancer.
A radioactive form of iodine can be used to help treat thyroid cancer.

The primary risk factor for thyroid cancer is family history, followed by exposure to radiation. Women are more likely to develop this condition than men, and it usually appears after the age of 30. Some genetic conditions can also predispose patients to the risk of thyroid cancer. Doctors may recommend family testing if a patient develops thyroid cancer, to determine whether or not other family members are at risk of developing the condition. People with a family history of thyroid cancer should discuss it with their doctors, to determine which steps, if any, should be taken to monitor thyroid health.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

SarahGen

I'm not sure if there is any truth to this but I've read that the cause of many thyroid diseases is due to a poor immune system response. This source said that as immune system cells fight infections, segments of viruses can become stuck in various glands like the thyroid gland. Later, when the immune system discovers them, it attacks the gland in order to get rid of the viruses. The result can be serious damage to the thyroid.

I don't know if this is true and if it can lead to cancer. But I think that we are very lucky that this type of cancer is fairly easy to treat. There are many organs and glands that we cannot live without. Thankfully, our body manages without the thyroid gland as long as synthetic thyroid hormones are used.

SteamLouis

@discographer-- A friend of mine had thyroid cancer and had her thyroid gland removed as well. She takes her medicine every day and has her routine check-ups. It has been almost ten years and all is well.

Don't worry about having to take medications. It's really not a big deal. There are lots of people who have their thyroid glands and have to use the same medicine because they have hypothyroidism. The important thing is diagnosing cancer early and treating it effectively. Get well soon.

discographer

I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer recently and my thyroid will be removed. I'm actually less worried about thyroid removal than the fact that I will have to take medications for the rest of my life. As long as I'm cancer-free, I'll find a way to adjust.

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    • Swollen lymph nodes are common in people with thyroid cancer.
      By: Klaus Eppele
      Swollen lymph nodes are common in people with thyroid cancer.
    • Treatment for thyroid cancer typically requires removal of the thyroid.
      By: derege
      Treatment for thyroid cancer typically requires removal of the thyroid.
    • A radioactive form of iodine can be used to help treat thyroid cancer.
      By: ksena32
      A radioactive form of iodine can be used to help treat thyroid cancer.
    • Cancer in in the thyroid gland, which is located at the base of the neck, usually has a good prognosis.
      By: bilderzwerg
      Cancer in in the thyroid gland, which is located at the base of the neck, usually has a good prognosis.
    • Thyroid functioning affects the body's metabolism.
      By: lom123
      Thyroid functioning affects the body's metabolism.
    • Family history is the primary risk factor for thyroid cancer.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      Family history is the primary risk factor for thyroid cancer.
    • Thyroid cancer is typically diagnosed when doctors detect nodules on the thyroid gland.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Thyroid cancer is typically diagnosed when doctors detect nodules on the thyroid gland.