Thyroid Cancer

THYROID CANCER What is Thyroid Cancer? Thyroid cancer is cancer of the thyroid gland, which is located in the front of the neck and produces thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones help the body Thyroid gland use energy and function normally. Did You Know? American Cancer Society The American Cancer Society Thyroid Cancer has the fastest growing Estimates: 60,220 new cases in the U.S. in 2013 number of new cases among all cancers in both men and women • Of those new cases 45,310 are women, and 14,910 are men It is the most common endocrine cancer O Mortality in 2013: 1040 women, 810 men All age groups are affected, from young children to seniors Types of THYROID CANCER 70-80% There are several types of thyroid cancer. Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common type, Papillary thyroid cancer accounting for about seventy to eighty percent of all thyroid cancers. It can occur at any age and often spreads to the lymph nodes in the neck, but has a high cure rate if caught early.- Medullary thyroid Follicular cancer Follicular carcinoma is the second most common type of carcinoma thyroid thyroid cancer and also has a good prognosis if caught early. cancer Medullary thyroid cancer is more likely to run in families and may be diagnosed by genetic testing. The rarest form, known as anaplastic thyroid cancer, quickly invades other parts of the body, is least likely to respond to treatment, and is often fatal. Causes of THYROID CANCER What causes thyroid cancer? There is no known cause of thyroid cancer; however, there are several risk factors that increase your chance of developing the disease. People who have a diet low in iodine, who have a family history of thyroid cancer, or who have had exposure of radiation to the head, neck, or chest are at a greater risk. Females over the age of thirty are also more likely to develop the disease than men. Risk Factors: Being between 25 and 65 years old • Being female • Being exposed to radiation to the head and neck, past or present • History of goiter (enlarged thyroid) • Family history of thyroid disease or thyroid cancer • Certain genetic conditions such as familial medullary thyroid cancer (FMTC), multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 2A syndrome, and multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 2B syndrome Symptoms of THYROID CANCER What are the symptoms of thyroid cancer? Of those that do experience symptoms, the most common is a lump or swelling in the neck also called a nodule, which may or may not be painful. Less frequently, patients may experience other symptoms, including hoarseness, difficulty swallowing and breathing, or a persistent cough unrelated to a cold or other illness. Diagnosis of THYROID CANCER How is it diagnosed? Thyroid nodules are usually discovered by a doctor during a physical exam. Cancer is confirmed based on a needle biopsy (fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid) of the nodule, or by testing a surgically removed nodule. Thyroid nodules are very common, and fewer than 1 in 10 are cancerous. TREATMENTS for THYROID CANCER Thyroid cancer is primarily treated by a thyroidectomy, which is the surgical removal of the thyroid. Radioactive lodine (RAI) Thyroid gland therapy may also be used following surgery to destroy any remaining thyroid cells, - Thyrogen cancerous and noncancerous, without affecting the rest of the body. Thyroid cancer patients very rarely need chemotherapy or radiation and if caught early, the prognosis for thyroid cancer is very good. The following sources were referenced in the creation of this infographic: 1. American Cancer Society 2. Natonal Cancer insthe Mount Sinai 3. Thyroid Cancer Survivors Association httpwww.nytmes comtethealthhetguidelesn thyroid-cancer ess html © 2013 The Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York You are free to copy, distribute and transmit this content, but vou must attribute the work to Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York Visit www.mountsinai.org/thyroid for more information.