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Thyroid Cancer — Comprehensive Guide

Malignant tumors arising from the thyroid gland, mostly with favorable prognosis but with various subtypes carrying different prognoses.

Written by: Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board
Last updated:

This content has been compiled by the Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board and is periodically reviewed by a specialist physician.

References (5)

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You can book an appointment at our Endokrinoloji department. Book Appointment →

What is Thyroid Cancer — Comprehensive Guide?

Thyroid cancer encompasses malignant tumors of the thyroid gland. It is the most common endocrine cancer, and its incidence has increased over the past 30 years (largely due to incidental detection of small papillary cancers by imaging). Papillary thyroid cancer accounts for 80-85% of all thyroid cancers and has the best prognosis.

Subtypes: papillary (most common, good prognosis), follicular (intermediate risk, hematogenous spread), medullary (secretes calcitonin, associated with MEN2), and anaplastic (rare but most aggressive, rapid growth and poor prognosis). Radiation exposure and family history are the main risk factors.

Diagnosis is made by ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) during evaluation of a thyroid nodule. Cytologic classification according to the Bethesda system determines the treatment pathway.

Symptoms

Painless palpable mass or swelling in the neck
Hoarseness (with nerve involvement)
Difficulty swallowing or feeling of pressure in the throat
Enlargement of cervical lymph nodes
Thyroid nodule enlarging and starting to cause symptoms
Most cases are asymptomatic; detected incidentally

Risk Factors

Childhood radiation exposure to the head and neck region
Family history of thyroid cancer or MEN2 syndrome
RET proto-oncogene mutation (for medullary cancer)
Female sex (3:1 female predominance)
Age range 30-60
Iodine deficiency or excessive iodine intake (follicular cancer)

When to See a Doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention promptly:

  • When an enlarging or hard mass is detected in the neck
  • If hoarseness or difficulty swallowing accompanies a thyroid nodule
  • If suspicious nodule features (microcalcifications, irregular border) are present on ultrasonography
  • Those with a family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2 diagnosis

Treatment Methods

01
Surgery: total thyroidectomy (in large or high-risk tumors) or lobectomy (in low-risk small tumors)
02
Radioactive iodine (I-131) ablation: for residual tissue and metastatic foci after total thyroidectomy
03
Levothyroxine replacement and TSH suppression therapy (in papillary/follicular cancer)
04
Long-term follow-up with thyroglobulin and neck ultrasound
05
Follow-up with calcitonin and CEA in medullary cancer; screening for RET mutations

Which Department to Visit?

You can visit our Endokrinoloji department for these complaints. Our specialist physicians will create the most suitable treatment plan for you.

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Health Disclaimer: The information on this page is prepared for general informational purposes only. It does not replace medical diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your physician for your complaints. Saygı Hospital does not accept responsibility for actions taken based on the information on this page.