Thyroid Cancer

What is thyroid cancer?

Thyroid cancer is a cancer that starts in the tissues of the thyroid. Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck. It makes hormones that control the way the body uses energy. These hormones affect nearly every organ in your body and control many of your body's most important functions. For example, they affect your breathing, heart rate, weight, digestion, and moods.

What are the different types of thyroid cancer?

There are different types of thyroid cancer; the main ones include:

• Differentiated thyroid cancer, which includes papillary cancer and follicular cancer
• Medullary thyroid cancer
• Anaplastic thyroid cancer

Who is more likely to develop thyroid cancer?

Certain people are more likely to develop thyroid cancer. Your risk is higher if you:

• Are between ages 25 and 65
• Are a woman
• Are Asian
• Were exposed to certain types of radiation, including from radiation treatments to your head or neck as a child or from a radiation emergency
• Have had a goiter (enlarged thyroid)
• Having certain genetic conditions, including certain types of multiple endocrine neoplasia
• Have a family history of thyroid cancer or thyroid disease

What are the symptoms of thyroid cancer?

Thyroid cancer may not cause symptoms at first. It is sometimes found during a routine physical exam. You may get signs or symptoms as the cancer gets bigger. The symptoms may include:

• A lump (nodule) in the neck
• Trouble breathing
• Trouble swallowing
• Pain when swallowing
• Hoarseness or other changes to your voice that do not get better

How is thyroid cancer diagnosed?

To find out if you have thyroid cancer, your health care provider may use:

• A physical exam, including checking your neck for swelling, lumps, or anything that seems unusual
• A medical history
• Thyroid tests
• Other blood or imaging tests
• A biopsy

What are the treatments for thyroid cancer?

Treatment for thyroid cancer depends on the type of cancer you have and whether the cancer has spread. Often, more than one type of treatment may be needed. The treatment options include:

• Surgery.
• Radiation therapy, including radioactive iodine therapy.
• Chemotherapy.
• Thyroid hormone therapy.
• Targeted therapy, which uses drugs or other substances that attack specific cancer cells with less harm to normal cells.
• Watchful waiting, which means that you don't get treatment right away. Your regularly checks to see if your signs or symptoms appear or change.

NIH: National Cancer Institute

Questions for your care team

General prompts to help prepare for your appointment.

• How does this information apply to my situation?
• Which symptoms or results need evaluation?
• Which tests are useful, and what can they tell us?
• What care options, benefits, and risks should we discuss?
• When should I seek urgent help, and whom should I call?
• When is follow-up, and how will we know whether the plan is working?