Thyroid Cancer
What are the types of thyroid cancer?
Thyroid cancer happens when abnormal cells arise in the thyroid and grow out of control. There are different types of thyroid cancer, some more serious than others:
Papillary thyroid cancer (85%)
Follicular thyroid cancer (10%)
Medullary thyroid cancer (3%)
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (1%)
Fortunately, the most common cancers (papillary thyroid cancer and follicular thyroid cancer) have a very good prognosis, especially when diagnosed in patients under 50 years of age. Medullary cancer is less common and can spread more easily to the lymph nodes in the neck. It may also be associated with a genetic mutation. Anaplastic cancer is a rare form of thyroid cancer, and it unfortunately carries a very poor prognosis.
How is thyroid cancer treated?
The initial treatment for thyroid cancer is surgery, which includes either a hemithyroidectomy (removal of one lobe of the thyroid gland) or total thyroidectomy (removal of the entire thyroid gland). Occasionally, lymph nodes surrounding the thyroid gland will be removed at the same time.
Depending on the type and features of the cancer, other treatments might be recommended. Dr Bell will discuss your diagnosis at a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meeting where other thyroid specialists are present, including endocrinologists, radiation oncologists and, if needed, medical oncologists.
The 2 most common additional treatments for thyroid cancer are the administration of radioactive iodine (RAI) and the use of thyroid medication to suppress thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels.
Rarely, external beam radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be recommended.