What is papillary thyroid carcinoma?
• Papillary thyroid carcinoma is also called PTC. It is a kind of tumor (abnormal growth) found in your thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped organ in the front area of your neck. The tumor grows from the follicular cells of your thyroid gland. These cells make thyroid hormones (special chemicals) that control how your body uses energy. • When the cells grow and split without control or order, they often make too much tissue (tumor). You may be able to feel the tumor with your fingers and it may grow. The tumor may also be painless and you may not know it is there. PTC is a differentiated type of thyroid cancer meaning the cancer cells look like normal cells. PTC may spread to other healthy organs and tissues in your body. Cancer that spreads to other body organs may be harder to control. The chances of curing PTC are better if it is found and treated early. What causes papillary thyroid carcinoma? PTC is most often caused by changes in your genes. Genes are lit
