Thyroid Cancer Treatment

Thyroid Cancer Treatment

The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck, right below the larynx (or voice box). While most thyroid problems are related to and overactive thyroid or underactive thyroid, occasionally growths known as thyroid nodules form on the thyroid.

While most nodules are non-cancerous (or benign), some are or will become cancerous. As these thyroid nodules grow, they can alter normal thyroid size, changing behavior and function of the thyroid gland and pressing against nearby tissues. There are four major different types of thyroid cancer, known as follicular, medullary, anaplastic, and papillary thyroid cancer. Their respective clinical presentations and treatment may vary in different ways.

For more information regarding thyroid problems, including Thyroid Cancer Treatment options, visit our thyroid problems page.

Types of Thyroid Cancer: Papillary Thyroid Cancer and More

As mentioned, a number of thyroid cancer treatment options are available. The type of thyroid cancer treatment, however, is dependent upon a number of factors, including the type of thyroid cancer, the extent (or "stage") of the disease, and the potential for progression of the tumor. The different types of thyroid cancer include:

• Papillary Thyroid Cancer -- As the most common form of thyroid cancer, papillary thyroid cancer represent approximately 80% of thyroid cancer cases. While papillary thyroid cancer usually grows slowly, it can spread to the lymph nodes located in the neck area and more rarely to other areas. The cure rate for papillary thyroid cancer treatment is very high among young patients, especially if diagnosis occurs while the thyroid nodule is still less than ½ inch (or 1 centimeter) across.
• Follicular Thyroid Cancer -- Following papillary thyroid cancer, follicular thyroid cancer is the next most common form of thyroid cancer, representing 10-15% of reported cases. Unlike papillary thyroid cancer, which usually spreads to the lymph nodes, follicular thyroid cancer can spread to the bones or lungs. Like papillary thyroid cancer, though, the cure rate with proper thyroid cancer treatment is still very high with early diagnosis.
• Medullary Thyroid Cancer -- Representing about 5% of reported cases, medullary thyroid cancer will have variable survival rates that depend on how far the disease has spread and what other parts of the body have been affected. If it has not spread, individuals have an average survival rate of 90% for the following 10 years. If it has spread to the lymph nodes in the neck area, that number decreases to 70% on average. If medullary cancer has spread to distant locations in the body, such as the brain or the bones, the survival rate falls to 20%. Because this type of thyroid cancer often runs in families, early detection may be possible through regular screening.
• Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer -- While it is the least common type of thyroid cancer, it is also the most aggressive form. It often returns after thyroid cancer treatment and limits an individual’s chances of living longer than 6-12 months. This type of thyroid cancer usually occurs in older patients and is considered extremely rare in younger individuals.

For more detailed content about papillary thyroid cancer as well as other forms of thyroid cancer, please visit our informative thyroid problems page today.

Thyroid Cancer Treatment Options

Thyroid cancer is managed by endocrinologists rather than general cancer specialists (oncologists). Depending upon the type of thyroid cancer present, as well as the progression of the cancer, the endocrinologist may choose to employ one or more of the following thyroid cancer treatment options:

• Surgery -- With this type of thyroid cancer treatment, part or all of the thyroid gland is removed. Additionally, if any nearby lymph nodes have been affected by the cancer, they too may be removed. Following this type of thyroid cancer treatment, individuals will begin taking thyroid hormone pills to replace the thyroid hormones that used to be secreted by the thyroid gland which also serves to suppress re-growth of the thyroid cancer.
• Chemotherapy -- Used almost exclusively as a thyroid cancer treatment for anaplastic cancer, chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to kill malignant (or cancerous) cells.
• Radioactive iodine therapy -- Usually employed as a follow-up thyroid cancer treatment to surgery, patients ingest a measured amount of radioactive iodine. This iodine then usually kills any thyroid tissue that was unable to be removed during the surgical procedure. It can be used as a thyroid cancer treatment option for cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes and beyond.
• External radiation -- As opposed to radioactive iodine therapy, which relies on the internal delivery of radiation, external radiation is a thyroid cancer treatment option that involves directing radiation at residual tumor cells from an outside radiation source to help shrink or kill these cells. In patients for whom surgery may not be feasible, external radiation is usually the next preferred option.

Of course, the best thyroid cancer treatment option is the one tailored specifically to your needs by your endocrinologist. If you notice a change in your normal thyroid size, see a physician immediately, as early detection greatly increases the success rates of each of these thyroid cancer treatment options.

Learn More About Thyroid Cancer Treatment

The Hormone Foundation strives to be your leading source for information about endocrine system diseases, including papillary thyroid cancer and more. Through a combination of information publications, educational programs, and advantageous partnerships, we hope to educate individuals about prevention, treatment, and cures for endocrine diseases.

If you like to learn more about The Hormone Foundation, or have suggestions on ways we might improve our site to benefit more people, please contact us today.

Additional Information About Endocrine System Diseases:

Hormone Imbalance

First Signs of Menopause

Pituitary Gland

Editors:

Kenneth Burman, MD

Leonard Wartofsky, MD

March 2008