Thyroid Cancer Health Article

Definition

Thyroid cancer is a disease in which the cells of the thyroid gland become abnormal, grow uncontrollably and form a mass of cells called a tumor.

Description

The thyroid is a hormone-producing, butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck at the base of the throat. It has two lobes, the left and the right. The thyroid uses iodine, a mineral found in some foods, to make several of its hormones. Thyroid hormones regulate essential body processes such as heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, metabolism, and affect the nervous system, muscles and other organs. These hormones also play an important role in regulating childhood growth and development.

Types of thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer is grouped into four types based on how its cells appears under a microscope. The types are papillary, follicular, medullary and anaplastic thyroid cancers. They grow at different rates and can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated.

PAPILLARY.

The papillary type (60%-80% of all thyroid cancers) is a slow-growing cancer that develops in the hormone-producing cells that contain iodine.

FOLLICULAR.

The follicular type (30%-50% of thyroid cancers) also develops in the hormone-producing cells.

MEDULLARY.

The medullary type (5%-7% of all thyroid cancers) develops in the parafollicular cells (also known as the C cells) that produce calcitonin, a hormone that does not contain iodine.

ANAPLASTIC.

The fourth type of thyroid cancer, anaplastic (2% of all thyroid cancers), is the fastest growing, most aggressive thyroid cancer type.