What are the symptoms of thyroid cancer?
Thyroid cancer, the most common endocrine-related cancer, presents as a lump
(nodule) in the thyroid and usually does not cause any other symptoms. Rarely,
thyroid cancer may cause pain, difficulty swallowing, or hoarseness
What causes thyroid cancer?
Thyroid cancer is more common in people who have a history of exposure of the
thyroid gland to radiation or a family history of thyroid cancer. Also, thyroid cancer is
more common as we get older. In most patients, we do not know why thyroid cancer
forms
How is thyroid cancer diagnosed?
A diagnosis of thyroid cancer is typically made on the basis of a needle biopsy of a
thyroid nodule or is confirmed by testing after the nodule is removed during surgery.
Although thyroid nodules are very common, less than 1 in 10 contain a thyroid
cancer.
What are the types of thyroid cancer?
Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common type of thyroid cancer (70% to 80% of
thyroid cancers) and can occur at any age. Follicular thyroid cancer (10% to 15% of
thyroid cancers) tends to occur in somewhat older patients than does papillary
cancer. Medullary thyroid cancer (5% to 10% of thyroid cancers) is more likely to run
in families and may be diagnosed by genetic testing. Anaplastic thyroid cancer (less
then 2% of thyroid cancers) is the least likely to respond to treatment.
How is thyroid cancer treated?
The primary therapy for patients with thyroid cancer is surgery, followed by thyroid
hormone therapy for the rest of their life. Radioactive iodine may be used to destroy
any remaining thyroid cells, both normal and cancerous, after removal of the thyroid
gland by surgery
What is Radioactive Iodine Therapy?
For radioactive iodine to be effective, high levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone
(TSH) need to be produced in your body. This can be done by stopping your thyroid
hormone and your becoming hypothyroid for a short time or by administering
Thyrogen® (synthetic human TSH) injections. A low iodine diet may also help. Once
the TSH level is high enough a large dose of radioactive iodine (I131) is given and
then the thyroid hormone pills are re-started. Radioactive iodine is usually well-
tolerated, with few side effects.
What is the follow-up of thyroid cancer patients?
Periodic follow-up examinations are essential for all thyroid cancer patients and
include a careful history, physical examination and blood tests to measure the levels
of T4 and thyroglobulin. Thyroglobulin is a protein made by both normal and most
cancerous cells and can be used as a thyroid cancer marker. Elevated levels of
thyroglobulin may prompt further tests such as a neck ultrasound. Your doctor may want to periodically repeat a whole body iodine scan to determine if any thyroid
cells remain in the body.
What is the prognosis of thyroid cancer?
Overall, the prognosis of thyroid cancer is very good, especially for patients younger
than 45 years of age and for those with small cancers, most of whom may be cured.
Even those patients who are unable to be cured of their thyroid cancer are able to
live many years and feel well despite their cancer.