DEFINITION W
"A carcinoma arising from the thyroid gland. It is usually an adenocarcinoma and includes the following main subtypes: follicular, papillary, medullary, poorly differentiated, and anaplastic. --2003"
Source: National Cancer Institute
EPIDEMIOLOGY
- M:F=1:2-4, usually>16y, I=0.02-0.3/100.000
- Papillary thyroid cancer: In the United States, this type makes up about 80 percent of all thyroid cancers. It begins in follicular cells and grows slowly. If diagnosed early, most people with papillary thyroid cancer can be cured.
- Follicular thyroid cancer: This type makes up about 15 percent of all thyroid cancers. It begins in follicular cells and grows slowly. If diagnosed early, most people with follicular thyroid cancer can be treated successfully.
- Medullary thyroid cancer: This type makes up about 3 percent of all thyroid cancers. It begins in the C cells of the thyroid. Cancer that starts in the C cells can make abnormally high levels of calcitonin. Medullary thyroid cancer tends to grow slowly. It can be easier to control if it's found and treated before it spreads to other parts of the body.
- Anaplastic thyroid cancer: This type makes up about 2 percent of all thyroid cancers. It begins in the follicular cells of the thyroid. The cancer cells tend to grow and spread very quickly. Anaplastic thyroid cancer is very hard to control.
Age specific Seer Rates
SYMPTOMS
- A lump in the front of the neck
- Hoarseness or voice changes
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Trouble swallowing or breathing
- Pain in the throat or neck that does not go away
DIAGNOSIS
- Physical exam
- Blood tests
- Ultrasound
- Thyroid scan
- Biopsy
PATHOGENESIS
http://ajp.amjpathol.org/cgi/content/full/160/6/1941
PATIENT RISK FACTORS
Genetic
- Family history of medullary thyroid cancer
- Family history of goiters or colon growths
- Personal history
Hormonal
Acquired
- Age over 45
- Iodine deficiency
- Radiation
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/thyroid/page5
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0004-27302007000500008&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en
Source: National Cancer Institute
