Thyroid cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the thyroid gland, a small butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck.
What is thyroid cancer or carcinoma?
Your thyroid, located in your neck, is like a small, hardworking factory that is responsible for making the hormones that control your metabolism, growth, and energy levels. Thyroid cancer happens when these cells start to grow abnormally or uncontrollably. This growth can often be detected by a lump or tumor in the thyroid gland.
Cancer is scary, regardless of type and location. It’s important to know, however, thyroid cancer is often slow-growing and treatable — especially when caught early. Think of a small fire. If caught early, it’s easy to contain and put out. That’s often how thyroid cancer is managed.
It’s important to be aware of any changes in your neck, like a lump or swelling, and to see a doctor if you notice anything unusual. Early detection is key to successful treatment and a good outcome. The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate metabolism, growth, and development so it can impact more than just one part of your body.
Thyroid cancer is relatively uncommon, accounting for about 1% of all cancers. It is more common in women than men, and the risk increases with age.
Head and Neck Cancer Center of Excellence
The Head and Neck Cancer Center of Excellence has one of the busiest thyroid centers in western Pennsylvania. In fact, people come from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia to receive care from our highly experienced and compassionate staff.
Our skilled team includes:
- Physicians
- Endocrinologists
- ENT (ear, nose, and throat) surgeons
- General surgeons
- Physician assistants
- Nurse practitioners
Our whole-person approach to care includes robust support services such as support groups, electronic medical records, palliative care, and cancer genetics. Learn more about the Head and Neck Cancer Center of Excellence.
AHN Thyroid Cancer Program
We take pride in caring for our patients, supporting them throughout the process, and providing positive results. Our comprehensive service is:
- Patient-centered: You are our focus. We’re dedicated to ensuring you are comfortable throughout the process and that you understand the next steps in your care. Our robust patient-focused services include cancer support groups, palliative care, and cancer genetics testing.
- Research-based: Our staff uses the latest research, findings, and technology to provide the most comprehensive treatment.
- Collaborative: Multiple specialists work together to review your case and make treatment recommendations. When many experts come together to combine their expertise, you get a more thorough and effective personalized treatment plan.
- Expert: Although thyroid cancer is very treatable, the surgery to cure it is quite intricate. Our thyroid cancer experts see many patients every year, so our surgeons have a lot of experience successfully performing the procedure.
- Convenient: You don’t have to travel far to get the comprehensive care you need. You can focus your energy on your health, not on traveling.
Thyroid cancer symptoms and signs
There is no routine screening for thyroid cancer. However, your doctor may recommend a thyroid exam if you have any of the following symptoms:
- A lump or swelling in your neck
- Hoarseness or difficulty swallowing
- Pain in your neck
- Persistent coughing
- Difficulty breathing
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
Thyroid cancer risk factors
While the exact cause of thyroid cancer is unknown, several factors can increase your risk of developing it. The most significant known cause for thyroid cancer is exposure to radiation. Exposure to high doses of radiation, particularly during childhood, can significantly increase the risk of thyroid cancer. This includes:
- Medical radiation: Radiation therapy for head and neck cancers, especially in childhood.
- Nuclear accidents: Exposure to radioactive fallout from nuclear accidents.
- Nuclear weapons testing: Exposure to radiation from nuclear weapons testing.
There are certain other risk factors, and while these do not guarantee a thyroid cancer diagnosis, it’s important to be aware of them and speak with your doctor about any concerns you may have.
- Family history: Having a family member with thyroid cancer increases your risk.
- Genetics: Certain genetic mutations can increase the risk of thyroid cancer.
- Gender: Women are three times more likely to develop thyroid cancer than men.
- Age: The risk of thyroid cancer increases with age, particularly after the age of 50.
- Iodine deficiency: While rare in developed countries, iodine deficiency can increase the risk of thyroid cancer.
- Certain medical conditions: People with certain medical conditions, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN 2A), have an increased risk of thyroid cancer.
- Exposure to certain chemicals: Exposure to certain chemicals, such as asbestos and dioxins, may also increase the risk of thyroid cancer.
If you have any concerns about your risk of thyroid cancer, talk to your doctor. They can assess your individual risk factors and recommend appropriate screening or preventive measures.
Thyroid cancer screening and diagnosis
To begin diagnosis, we discuss your symptoms with you and perform a physical exam to feel for any lumps or nodules on the neck. We may recommend other tests to confirm a diagnosis:
- Ultrasound: This device uses sound waves to make an image of your thyroid.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan: This special X-ray creates a detailed picture of your thyroid and neck.
- Biopsy or fine needle aspiration (FNA): We insert a small needle into the thyroid nodule to get a sample of cells. A specially trained doctor, called a pathologist, looks at the cells under a microscope to determine if they are cancerous. We give you a local anesthetic before performing this minimally invasive procedure.
Types and stages of thyroid cancer
There are several types of thyroid cancer, each with its own characteristics and prognosis. The stage of thyroid cancer is a major factor in determining the prognosis. Earlier stages are generally associated with a better prognosis than later stages.
Papillary Thyroid Cancer (PTC)
The most common type, usually slow-growing and highly treatable.
Stages of PTC:
- Stage I: Tumor is less than 1 cm in size and confined to the thyroid gland.
- Stage II: Tumor is larger than 1 cm but still confined to the thyroid gland.
- Stage III: Tumor has spread beyond the thyroid gland to nearby lymph nodes or tissues.
- Stage IV: Tumor has spread to distant parts of the body, such as the lungs, bones, or other organs.
Follicular Thyroid Cancer (FTC)
Also slow growing, but can spread to other parts of the body.
Stages of FTC:
- Stage I: Tumor is less than 4 cm in size and confined to the thyroid gland.
- Stage II: Tumor is larger than 4 cm but still confined to the thyroid gland.
- Stage III: Tumor has spread beyond the thyroid gland to nearby lymph nodes or tissues.
- Stage IV: Tumor has spread to distant parts of the body, such as the lungs, bones, or other organs.
Medullary Thyroid Cancer (MTC)
Less common, but can be more aggressive.
Stages of MTC:
Stage I: Tumor is less than 2 cm in size and confined to the thyroid gland.
Stage II: Tumor is larger than 2 cm but still confined to the thyroid gland.
Stage III: Tumor has spread beyond the thyroid gland to nearby lymph nodes or tissues.
Stage IV: Tumor has spread to distant parts of the body, such as the lungs, bones, or other organs.
Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer (ATC)
The rarest and most aggressive type, often difficult to treat.
Stages of ATC:
- Stage I: Tumor is less than 4 cm in size and confined to the thyroid gland.
- Stage II: Tumor is larger than 4 cm but still confined to the thyroid gland.
- Stage III: Tumor has spread beyond the thyroid gland to nearby lymph nodes or tissues.
- Stage IV: Tumor has spread to distant parts of the body, such as the lungs, bones, or other organs.
Thyroid cancer treatment
At the AHN Head and Neck Cancer Center of Excellence, we use the latest techniques and technology to provide a comprehensive treatment plan. Learn more about thyroid cancer treatment.
Your team includes many different specialists, all working together on your diagnosis and treatment:
- Endocrinologists
- ENT (ear, nose, and throat specialist) surgeons
- General surgeons
- Physician assistants
- Nurse practitioners
- Oncologists
After we confirm the diagnosis and stage of the cancer, our highly experienced team reviews your case to establish a personalized treatment plan.
For most early-stage thyroid cancer, the treatment is:
- Lobectomy: Our accomplished surgeons remove the entire thyroid or a part of it.
- Radioactive iodine: An endocrinologist (a physician who treats hormone disorders) prescribes radioactive iodine (in liquid or capsule form) to be taken by mouth. It destroys any thyroid cells that might be left after surgery but does not harm any other tissue within the body.
For more advanced cases, other treatment options may include:
- Chemotherapy: These powerful medications destroy the cancer. They may also cause side effects. Our team works with you to minimize the side effects as much as possible.
- Targeted therapy: This therapy causes fewer side effects than chemotherapy. It works by attacking specific genes within the surrounding blood vessels to stop the cancer from growing.
- Hormone therapy: Your thyroid secretes, or releases, many hormones that the body needs. Thyroid cancer can prevent the thyroid from doing its job. Hormone therapy uses drugs to replace those hormones. The medication often slows the growth of cancer cells as well.
The prognosis for thyroid cancer is generally good, especially for early-stage disease. However, it is important to follow up with your doctor regularly to monitor for any recurrence.
Contact us
Call the AHN Cancer Help Line anytime at (412) NURSE-4-U (412) 687-7348 to schedule a cancer-related appointment or to just talk with our nurses about diagnoses, treatments, and side effects.