Thyroid carcinoma

Thyroid carcinoma is a type of cancer that develops in the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ located in the front of the neck, and it produces hormones that regulate the body's metabolism. Thyroid carcinoma is the most common endocrine malignancy and its incidence has been increasing worldwide.

Types

There are four main types of thyroid carcinoma: Papillary thyroid carcinoma, Follicular thyroid carcinoma, Medullary thyroid carcinoma, and Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Each type has different characteristics and requires different treatment approaches.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma

Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common type of thyroid cancer, accounting for about 80% of all cases. It usually grows very slowly, but can often spread to lymph nodes in the neck. Despite this, it is usually treatable and rarely fatal.

Follicular thyroid carcinoma

Follicular thyroid carcinoma accounts for about 10% to 15% of all thyroid cancers. It is more likely than papillary carcinoma to grow into blood vessels and spread to distant parts of the body.

Medullary thyroid carcinoma

Medullary thyroid carcinoma accounts for about 3% of all thyroid cancers. It begins in thyroid cells called C cells, which produce the hormone calcitonin. Elevated levels of calcitonin in the blood can indicate medullary thyroid carcinoma at a very early stage.

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is the least common type of thyroid cancer, accounting for only about 2% of all cases. It is the most aggressive type of thyroid cancer and is often fatal.

Symptoms

Symptoms of thyroid carcinoma can include a lump or swelling in the neck, pain in the front of the neck, hoarseness or other voice changes, trouble swallowing, and constant cough that is not due to a cold.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma typically involves a physical examination, blood tests, imaging tests, and a biopsy. The biopsy can confirm the diagnosis and determine the type of thyroid carcinoma.

Treatment

Treatment for thyroid carcinoma depends on the type and stage of the disease. It can include surgery, radioactive iodine therapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy.

Prognosis

The prognosis for thyroid carcinoma varies depending on the type and stage of the disease. Papillary and follicular carcinomas have a very good prognosis, with a 10-year survival rate of over 90%. Medullary carcinoma has a somewhat worse prognosis, but still has a 10-year survival rate of about 75%. Anaplastic carcinoma has a very poor prognosis, with a 10-year survival rate of less than 10%.

See also

• Thyroid
• Thyroid diseases
• Thyroid nodules
• Thyroidectomy

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