The thyroid is an organ at the base of the throat that makes hormones that
help control heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and weight.
Four main types of thyroid cancer are papillary, follicular, medullary,
and anaplastic thyroid cancer. The four types are based on how the cancer
cells look under a microscope.
Papillary & Follicular
Papillary and follicular thyroid cancers account for 80-90% of all thyroid
cancers. Both types begin in the follicular cells of the thyroid. Most
of this type tends to grow slowly and if detected early, most can be treated
successfully.
Medullary
Medullary thyroid cancer accounts for 5-10% of thyroid cancer cases and
it arises in C cells not follicular cells. Medullary thyroid cancer is
easier to control if it is found and treated before it spreads to other
parts of the body.
Anaplastic
Anaplastic cancer is least common with only 1-2% of cases. It arises in
follicular cells and the cells are highly abnormal and difficult to recognize.
This type of cancer is usually very hard to control because the cancer
cells tend to grow and spread very quickly.
Thyroid Cancer Risk Factors
The exact cause of thyroid cancer is unknown however; certain risk factors
are more likely to contribute to thyroid cancer in one individual versus
another. The risk factors associated with an increased chance of developing
thyroid cancer include:
Radiation
Family history
Being female
Age
Race
Not enough iodine in the diet
Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer
Early thyroid cancer does not cause symptoms. As cancer grows symptoms
may include a lump or nodule in the front of the neck near the Adam’s
apple, hoarseness or difficulty speaking in a normal voice, swollen lymph
nodes, especially in the neck, difficulty swallowing or breathing or pain
in the throat or neck.
Diagnosing Thyroid Cancer
If a person has symptoms that suggest thyroid cancer the doctor may perform
a physical exam and ask about the patient’s personal and family
medical history. Lab tests and imaging including ultrasound, radionuclide
scanning, and a biopsy may also be performed. A biopsy is the removal
of tissue to look for cancer cells and is the only sure way to know whether
a nodule is cancerous. The tissue is examined under a microscope by a
pathologist for diagnosis.
Staging & Testing
If the diagnosis is thyroid cancer, the doctor then needs to know the extent
or stage of the disease. Additional testing including ultrasound, MRI,
CT scan, and radiounuclide scan may be done to see whether the cancer
has spread to the lymph nodes or other areas within the neck. After testing
and staging are complete treatment options are discussed. Treatment options
are surgery, radioactive iodine therapy, hormone treatment, external radiation
therapy, and chemotherapy.
Restoring Balance with Advanced Thyroid Cancer Care
At Big Horn Basin Regional Cancer Center, we understand that the thyroid
plays a vital role in your body’s overall health. Our oncology team
provides expert, personalized care for all types of thyroid cancer - from
the most common, slow-growing forms to more aggressive cases requiring
complex treatment.
Contact us today to learn more about thyroid cancer treatment in Cody, WY
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