Thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer is <a href="/facts/Cancer/PVW6n1D0">cancer</a> that develops from the <a href="/facts/Tissue_(biology)/H7CpML7A">tissues</a> of the <a href="/facts/Thyroid_gland/bjovTJVu">thyroid gland</a>. It is a disease in which <a href="/facts/Cell_(biology)/bLM9UQvy">cells</a> grow abnormally and have the potential to <a href="/facts/Metastasize/4dadbm6z">spread to other parts of the body</a>. Symptoms can include swelling or a lump in the <a href="/facts/Neck/v69tnMYk">neck</a>, difficulty swallowing or voice changes including hoarseness, or a feeling of something being in the <a href="/facts/Globus_sensation/3H64q8mM">throat</a> due to mass effect from the tumor. However, most cases are asymptomatic. Cancer can also occur in the thyroid after spread from other locations, in which case it is not classified as thyroid cancer.
Risk factors include <a href="/facts/Radiation/RwMocyeq">radiation</a> exposure at a young age, having an <a href="/facts/Goiter/0kNGMcb6">enlarged thyroid</a>, family history and <a href="/facts/Obesity/RBF9y5Vl">obesity</a>. The four main types are <a href="/facts/Papillary_thyroid_cancer/AAqR5pGs">papillary thyroid cancer</a>, <a href="/facts/Follicular_thyroid_cancer/a98pBQeT">follicular thyroid cancer</a>, <a href="/facts/Medullary_thyroid_cancer/PMFqpgKP">medullary thyroid cancer</a>, and <a href="/facts/Anaplastic_thyroid_cancer/Wem9BHH1">anaplastic thyroid cancer</a>. Diagnosis is often based on <a href="/facts/Ultrasound/31Pa5IH9">ultrasound</a> and <a href="/facts/Fine_needle_aspiration/BgVv8vqo">fine needle aspiration</a>. Screening people without symptoms and at normal risk for the disease is not recommended.
Treatment options may include <a href="/facts/Surgery/fG8tWf5Y">surgery</a>, <a href="/facts/Radiation_therapy/j60q5EC6">radiation therapy</a> including <a href="/facts/Radioactive_iodine/HxgH1yJD">radioactive iodine</a>, <a href="/facts/Chemotherapy/fWTLbaUT">chemotherapy</a>, <a href="/facts/Thyroid_hormone/9k4xJtCq">thyroid hormone</a>, <a href="/facts/Targeted_therapy/QaHGLjc6">targeted therapy</a>, and <a href="/facts/Watchful_waiting/y21bFPEL">watchful waiting</a>. Surgery may involve removing part or all of the thyroid. <a href="/facts/Five-year_survival_rates/C6PENRfq">Five-year survival rates</a> are 98% in the United States.
Globally as of 2015, 3.2 million people have thyroid cancer. In 2012, 298,000 new cases occurred. It most commonly is diagnosed between the ages of 35 and 65. Women are affected more often than men. Those of <a href="/facts/Asian_people/Eeg20DwM">Asian</a> descent are more commonly affected; with a higher rate of mortality among <a href="/facts/Filipino_people/1KcRNdYX">Filipino</a> females. Rates have increased in the last few decades, which is believed to be due to better detection. In 2015, it resulted in 31,900 deaths.

Thyroid cancer open-in-new

Thyroid cancer