Thyroid Cancers
Learn more about thyroid cancer and how it is treated.
Overview
Thyroid cancer is a type of endocrine cancer that begins in the cells of the thyroid. The thyroid is a gland at the base of the neck. It produces hormones that regulate your metabolism, heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure.
Types of thyroid cancer
Papillary thyroid cancer
Papillary thyroid cancer starts in the follicular cells of the thyroid. Sometimes, the cancer starts in more than one spot in the thyroid at once. Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common type of thyroid cancer. Most types of papillary thyroid cancer respond well to treatment.
Follicular thyroid cancer
Follicular thyroid cancer is less common than papillary thyroid cancer. Most patients with follicular thyroid cancer are over the age of 50. Follicular thyroid cancer often does not spread beyond the thyroid, but in some cases it may spread to the lungs and bones.
Medullary thyroid cancer
Medullary thyroid cancer is a rare type of thyroid cancer. In some cases it is hereditary.
Anaplastic thyroid cancer
Anaplastic thyroid cancer is a rare type of thyroid cancer. Only about two percent of patients with thyroid cancer have anaplastic thyroid cancer. Anaplastic thyroid cancer is often aggressive and spreads beyond the thyroid to other parts of the body.
Diagnosis
There are several tests used to diagnose thyroid and more than one test is often needed to make an accurate diagnosis.
In most cases, you will first have a physical exam and blood test. Depending on your specific needs, other tests and procedures may also be recommended.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound machine uses sound waves to create a picture of the inside of your body. Physicians may recommend an ultrasound in order to get a closer look at your thyroid
Computed tomography (CT) scan
A CT scan takes pictures of the inside of the body using X-rays from different angles. A computer combines these images into a cross-sectional picture that makes it easier to see if there are any abnormalities or tumours.
CT scan images provide more detailed information than regular X-rays.
Biopsy
If your ultrasound or CT scan shows signs of cancer, a biopsy is needed to make a definite
diagnosis.
During a biopsy, a physician removes a small amount of tissue so it can be examined under a microscope and analyzed by a pathologist.
A pathologist is a physician who specializes in interpreting laboratory tests and evaluating cells, tissues and organs to diagnose disease.
Cancer staging
If cancer is found, the next step is determining the stage of cancer. Knowing the stage of your cancer helps your care team develop your treatment plan. Your physician determines the stage of your cancer based on the size and location of the tumour, whether cancer cells are in the lymph nodes and whether there are cancer cells in other parts of the body.
Treatment
If you have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, your cancer care team will discuss your treatment options and help you weigh the benefits of each treatment option against the possible risks and side effects.
The most common treatments include one or more of the following.
Surgery
Surgery is the most common treatment for thyroid cancer. Depending on your specific needs, surgery can remove the whole thyroid (thyroidectomy) or part of the thyroid (thyroid lobectomy).
Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy can help replace the hormones your thyroid would normally produce or slow the growth of the tumour.
Radioactive iodine therapy
Radioactive iodine therapy involves taking a pill that contains radioactive iodine that will destroy your thyroid tissue and kill cancer cells. You will need to take hormone-replacement medication for the rest of your life.
Depending on your specific needs, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may also be recommended.