What are the different types of thyroid cancer?
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) describes the major types of thyroid cancer as follows: • papillary and follicular thyroid cancers These two types of thyroid cancer account for 80 percent to 90 percent of all thyroid cancers. Papillary thyroid cancer is the more common of the two types. Both types begin in the follicular cells of the thyroid and tend to grow slowly. • follicular thyroid cancer This type of thyroid cancer occurs most often among elderly patients and accounts for about 15 percent of thyroid cancer cases. This type of thyroid cancer is more aggressive and tends to spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. • medullary thyroid cancer This type of thyroid cancer accounts for 5 percent to 10 percent of all thyroid cancers. Medullary thyroid cancer is the only thyroid cancer that begins in the parathyroid cells. This type of thyroid cancer is easier to control if it is found and treated early, before it spreads to other parts of the body.
Papillary carcinoma is the most common kind of thyroid cancer. It occurs in 70 to 80 percent of people with thyroid cancer. Most people are in their forties when this cancer is found. It is sometimes called papillary cancer or papillary adenocarcinoma. This kind of cancer starts in the thyroid follicle cells. Follicular carcinoma is the second most common type of thyroid cancer. It occurs in 10-20% of people with thyroid cancer. Patients are mostly in their late forties, or fifties when this type of cancer is found. It is sometimes called follicular cancer, follicular carcinoma, or follicular adenocarcinoma. Medullary thyroid cancer occurs in 5-10% of people with thyroid cancer. It is a cancer of the parafollicular or C cells (named after their production of calcitonin). One out of five people has a gene that causes this cancer. A blood test can be done to see whether someone carries the gene. If the test shows the gene, family members of the patient should also be tested. This is so t
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) describes the major types of thyroid cancer as follows: • papillary and follicular thyroid cancers These two types of thyroid cancer account for 80 percent to 90 percent of all thyroid cancers. Papillary thyroid cancer is the more common of the two types. Both types begin in the follicular cells of the thyroid and tend to grow slowly. • follicular thyroid cancer This type of thyroid cancer occurs most often among elderly patients and accounts for about 15 percent of thyroid cancer cases. This type of thyroid cancer is more aggressive and tends to spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. • medullary thyroid cancer This type of thyroid cancer accounts for 5 percent to 10 percent of all thyroid cancers. Medullary thyroid cancer is the only thyroid cancer that begins in the C cells. This type of thyroid cancer is easier to control if it is found and treated early, before it spreads to other parts of the body.
Almost half of all people will develop some type of growth or tumor in the thyroid gland. These growths are called thyroid nodules. Most thyroid nodules go unnoticed and do not cause problems. Thyroid nodules can start at any age, becoming more common as people grow older. About five to seven percent of people in the U.S. will develop one or more thyroid nodules that are palpable, they can be felt by touch. Benign Thyroid Nodules The majority of thyroid nodules are benign; they are not cancerous and will not develop into cancer. A person may have a single nodule, or may have several forming what is known as a multinodular goiter. Generally these nodules are filled with fluid or deposits of thyroid hormone. Although benign nodules are not dangerous to a patients life, even if left untreated, they can sometimes cause other medical problems and should be watched by a physician. Hyperplastic nodules and adenomas are types of benign nodules that have an overabundance of healthy cells.
The National Cancer Institute describes the major types of thyroid cancer as follows: • Papillary and follicular thyroid cancers – account for 80 percent to 90 percent of all thyroid cancers. Papillary thyroid cancer is the more common of the two types. Both types begin in the follicular cells of the thyroid and tend to grow slowly. • Follicular thyroid cancer – occurs most often among elderly patients and accounts for about 15 percent of thyroid cancer cases. This type of thyroid cancer is more aggressive and tends to spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. • Medullary thyroid cancer – accounts for 5 percent to 10 percent of all thyroid cancers. Medullary thyroid cancer is the only thyroid cancer that begins in the C cells. This type of thyroid cancer is easier to control if it is found and treated early, before it spreads to other parts of the body.
