Thyroid cancer is the most commonly occurring type of endocrine cancer. The incidence appears to be on the rise, partly from early detection and partly from unknown factors. It is diagnosed in women nearly three times more frequently than in men. The American Cancer Society estimates approximately 37,000 cases of thyroid cancer in the United States in 2009. Fortunately, thyroid cancer is rarely fatal. Nearly 97% of people diagnosed with thyroid cancer are still alive 5 years later.
Thyroid cancers are classified as well-differentiated or poorly differentiated. Well-differentiated thyroid cancers generally have a better prognosis than poorly differentiated.
Papillary Thyroid Cancer
The most common form of thyroid cancer, papillary thyroid cancer represents about 70% to 80% of patient cases. It is very treatable. The death rate is only 0.1% and the rate of recurrence is approximately 5%. It is found in people of any age, but is most commonly diagnosed in women between 20 and 60 years of age.
Papillary thyroid cancer is usually treated with surgical removal of the thyroid. Patients occasionally will require a treatment of radioactive iodine after surgery to eliminate any remaining thyroid cells.
Follicular Thyroid Cancer
Follicular thyroid cancer is very similar to papillary thyroid cancer. It is very treatable and the prognosis is good for most patients. Follicular thyroid cancer seems to occur more often in countries where people do not have enough iodine in their diet. Treatment is similar to that of papillary thyroid cancer.
Medullary Thyroid Cancer
Medullary thyroid cancer is much less common, occurring in only 3% to 4% of patients with thyroid cancer. It very often runs in families and seems to have a genetic basis. Medullary thyroid cancer occurs in specific cells called C cells that secrete the hormone, calcitonin. Calcitonin can be measured with a blood test and is often monitored after treatment to determine how well the patient has responded. The 10-year survival rate is approximately 75%.
Medullary thyroid cancer is treated by removing the thyroid and some of the lymph nodes in the neck. Chemotherapy and radioactive iodine are not very helpful in this type of thyroid cancer.
Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
Anaplastic thyroid cancer is the most rare form of thyroid cancer and the most lethal. Only 1% to 2% of thyroid cancers are anaplastic. The 10-year survival rate is only approximately 9%. It is very aggressive and readily spreads to other organs. Most people do not survive more than six months after their diagnosis. Radiation and chemotherapy are used in anaplastic thyroid cancer, but the outcome still is not good for most patients.
For more information on thyroid cancer:
Thyroid Cancer Survivor's Association
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