Thyroid Cancer

Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, just above your collarbone. It makes hormones that help the body work normally. There are several types of cancer of the thyroid gland. You are at greater risk if you

• Are between ages 25 and 65
• Are a woman
• Are Asian
• Have a family member who has had thyroid disease
• Have had radiation treatments to your head or neck

You should see a doctor if you have a lump or swelling in your neck. Doctors use a physical exam, thyroid tests, other blood and imaging tests, and a biopsy to diagnose thyroid cancer. Treatment depends on the type of cancer you have and how far the cancer has spread. Many patients receive a combination of treatments. They may include surgery, radioactive iodine, hormone treatment, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy. Targeted therapy uses substances that attack cancer cells without harming normal cells.

NIH: National Cancer Institute

• Anaplastic thyroid cancer (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Fine needle aspiration of the thyroid (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Medullary carcinoma of thyroid (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Thyroid cancer (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Thyroid cancer – papillary carcinoma (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Thyroid gland removal (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Thyroid Tests – NIH (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
• Thyroid ultrasound (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Understanding Chemotherapy – NIH – Easy-to-Read (National Cancer Institute) – PDF
• What to Know about Brachytherapy (A Type of Internal Radiation Therapy) – NIH – Easy-to-Read (National Cancer Institute) – PDF
• What to Know about External Beam Radiation Therapy – NIH – Easy-to-Read (National Cancer Institute) – PDF

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