Cancer is a deadly condition that can occur in any part of our body. When it occurs in the thyroid gland (a small butterfly-shaped gland located at the bottom of your neck), it’s called thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer is mostly diagnosed at a younger age compared to other adult cancers. The American Cancer Society reveals that approximately 11,860 men and 31,940 women are estimated to be diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2022, and out of them, 1,070 men and 1,160 women will die from it.
However, it’s not as fatal as other cancers, and knowing its types, prevalence, and symptoms will help you diagnose and treat it earlier, increasing your prognosis (chance of recovery). Let’s discuss them.
There are several types of thyroid cancer, such as;
Contributing to about 80% of thyroid cancer diagnoses, papillary thyroid cancer develops in only one thyroid gland lobe. It grows gradually but often spreads to the lymph nodes of the neck. It can be successfully treated when found earlier.
Subtypes of papillary thyroid cancer are:
About 1 out of 10 people have follicular thyroid cancer in the US. Though follicular thyroid cancer doesn’t spread to the lymph nodes, it can spread to other body parts, such as the bones and lungs.
It’s found in about 4% of people with thyroid cancer. It starts in the thyroid gland’s C cells that produce calcitonin (a hormone to control the amount of calcium in the blood). Sometimes, this cancer can spread to the lungs, liver, or lymph nodes even before the thyroid nodule is found.
Types of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) are:
Sporadic MTC – Consists of 75-80% of MTC diagnoses and affects one thyroid lobe. It’s not inherited and hence, more common in seniors.
Familial MTC – It’s inherited, accounting for 20%-25% of MTC diagnoses, and begins in childhood or early adulthood, affecting both lobes.
It’s a rare type, affecting only 2% of people with thyroid cancer. Sometimes, it’s considered to be developed from an existing follicular or papillary cancer. Though rare, anaplastic thyroid cancer can quickly spread to the neck and other body parts, making it difficult to treat.
Almost 30% of people suffering from thyroid cancer have metastatic thyroid cancer, which means cancer has spread to other body parts from the thyroid gland. Out of these people, nearly 26% have had cancer spread to the lymph nodes in the neck, and 1-4% have had cancer spread to other body parts such as the bones and lungs.
Symptoms of thyroid cancer can include:
Generally, thyroid cancer is treatable, whether localized (contained in the thyroid gland) or metastatic (spreads outside of the thyroid gland). If diagnosed earlier, thyroid cancer can be completely cured.
Your oncologist may recommend any of the following treatments depending on your age, overall health condition, and the stage and spread of your cancer:
Lobectomy – Removes the affected thyroid lobe and nearby lymph nodes. It’s recommended for small, well-differentiated localized thyroid cancers.
Total Thyroidectomy – Removes the entire thyroid gland and the nearby lymph nodes in the neck/chest. It’s recommended for metastatic thyroid cancers.
It’s recommended after surgery (removal of the thyroid gland) to:
It uses radioactive iodine to destroy abnormal thyroid cells and remaining thyroid cancer cells after surgery. It is mostly recommended for treating differentiated metastatic thyroid cancers.
Other treatment options for advanced thyroid cancers include:
It stimulates your immune system to boost its ability to fight thyroid cancer.
It uses high-energy X-ray beams and protons to destroy thyroid cancer cells and shrink tumors.
You will be asked to take IV or oral drugs to destroy thyroid cancer cells.
It uses specific drugs that target the gene mutation/protein of your thyroid cancer cells, causing them to die.
The general 5-year survival rate of thyroid cancer is 98%, but it varies depending on the type and spread of the thyroid cancer.
The 5-year survival rate of localized:
The 5-year survival rate of regional (spread to the nearby tissues/organs):
The 5-year survival rate of metastatic (spread to the distant body parts):
If you experience any thyroid cancer symptoms, schedule an appointment with us today at Chesapeake Oncology-Hematology Associates for prompt diagnosis and care. Our experienced oncologists will create a customized thyroid cancer treatment plan and also provide medical guidance for your ongoing care.
