What is Thyroid Cancer?
Thyroid nodules can be benign or malignant:
- Benign nodules: Do not spread to other parts of the body. Over 90% of thyroid nodules are benign.
- Malignant nodules: Can be life-threatening. Cancer cells may invade nearby tissues or organs and spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body via blood or the lymphatic system.
Types of Thyroid Cancer
- Papillary and Follicular: Account for 80–90% of all thyroid cancers. They begin in the follicular cells and tend to grow slowly. Most are treatable if detected early.
- Medullary: Represents 5–10% of thyroid cancers. Arises in the C cells (not follicular). Easier to treat if caught before spreading.
- Anaplastic: Least common (1–2% of cases). Starts in follicular cells. Very aggressive and hard to treat due to fast growth and spread.
Metastasis
If thyroid cancer spreads beyond the thyroid, it often affects nearby lymph nodes, nerves, blood vessels, and can travel to organs such as the lungs or bones.
Treatments and Procedures
If the diagnosis is thyroid cancer, the doctor needs to know the stage, or extent, of the disease to plan the best treatment. Staging helps determine whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to what parts of the body.
Imaging tests such as a diagnostic I-131 whole body scan (a type of nuclear medicine scan) may be used to check if the cancer has spread to distant organs.
Depending on the type and stage, thyroid cancer may be treated with:
Surgery
This is the most common treatment for thyroid cancer. Your surgeon may remove all or part of the thyroid based on the cancer’s stage, type, and size, as well as your age.
- Total Thyroidectomy: The entire thyroid is removed. Sometimes nearby tissues or lymph nodes may also be removed if affected.
- Lobectomy: The affected lobe is removed. Some surrounding thyroid tissue or lymph nodes may also be taken out.
Radioactive Iodine Therapy
This therapy uses radioactive iodine (I-131) to destroy thyroid cancer cells throughout the body. It is usually taken orally as a liquid or capsule.
Chemotherapy
Anticancer drugs are delivered via IV (intravenous injection). Chemotherapy may be used in combination with radiation, especially for advanced cases or before/after surgery.
Radiation Therapy
This treatment uses high-energy rays directed at the neck or other affected areas to destroy cancer cells. It's often used when the cancer doesn't respond to radioactive iodine.
Hormone Treatment
After surgery or radioactive iodine therapy, you may be prescribed thyroid hormone pills. These help replace natural thyroid hormones and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence by slowing down any remaining cancer cells.
Thyroid Cancer Overview
Risk Factors
- Family history of thyroid cancer
- Radiation exposure to the neck
- Female gender (higher risk)
- Age over 40 years
- Certain genetic syndromes (e.g. MEN 2)
Signs & Symptoms
- Lump or swelling in the neck
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Persistent hoarseness or voice changes
- Pain in the neck or throat
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
Prevention
- Avoid unnecessary radiation exposure
- Regular checkups if high-risk
- Genetic counseling for inherited syndromes
- Healthy lifestyle and diet
- Awareness of early symptoms
Faqs
Thyroid cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the thyroid gland — a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck. It controls hormones related to metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature.
- A lump or swelling in the neck
- Hoarseness or voice changes
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Persistent throat or neck pain
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Family history of thyroid disease or thyroid cancer
- Radiation exposure (especially during childhood)
- Certain inherited genetic syndromes (e.g., MEN2)
- Female gender (more common in women)
- Papillary (most common, slow-growing)
- Follicular (can spread to lungs or bones)
- Medullary (can be hereditary)
- Anaplastic (rare and aggressive)
- Neck ultrasound
- Fine-needle aspiration biopsy
- Blood tests (e.g., TSH, calcitonin)
- Thyroid scan or CT/MRI (if needed)
Yes — especially if diagnosed early. Most types of thyroid cancer respond well to treatment. The prognosis is excellent for papillary and follicular types.
- Surgery (thyroidectomy – removal of thyroid)
- Radioactive iodine therapy
- Thyroid hormone replacement therapy
- External radiation or chemotherapy (for advanced or aggressive types)
- Targeted therapies (in some cases)
Yes. After thyroid removal, you’ll need lifelong thyroid hormone replacement therapy to maintain normal metabolism and hormone balance.
Yes, it can recur even after treatment, sometimes years later. That’s why regular follow-up with blood tests and scans is important.
- Avoid unnecessary radiation exposure
- Get regular check-ups if you have a family history
- Manage iodine intake (as advised by a doctor)
- Be alert to changes in your neck or voice
