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Thyroid Cancer
Alternate Names : Cancer - Thyroid, Tumor - Thyroid
DefinitionThyroid cancer is a malignancy (cancerous growth) of the thyroid gland.
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Overview, Causes, & 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:
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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.
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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.
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• Definition
• Thyroid Cancer Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Thyroid Cancer Symptoms & Signs
• Thyroid Cancer Prevention
• Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis & Tests
• Thyroid Cancer Treatment
• Thyroid Cancer Prognosis
• Thyroid Cancer Complications
• Thyroid Cancer Support Groups
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
• Cancer
• Goiter
• Thyroid Cancer - Papillary Carcinoma
Tests & Exams
• Calcitonin
• Laryngoscopy
• T3
• T4 Test
• Thyroid Excisional Biopsy
• Thyroid Scan
• Thyroid Ultrasound
• TSH
Other Topics
• Bleeding
• Breathing Difficulty
• Cancer - Resources
• Chemotherapy
• Chronic
• Cough
• Hoarseness or Changing Voice
• Incidence
• Joint Swelling
• Malignancy
• Metastasis
• Nodules
• Physical Examination
• Radiation Therapy
Review Date : 7/11/2002
Reviewed By : Ezra E.W. Cohen, M.D., Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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