Overview

What Are Thyroid Tumors?

The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck at the base of the throat. Thyroid tumors are either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous) growths. Examples of benign tumors are adenomas, which may secrete thyroid hormone.

Thyroid adenomas

Thyroid adenomas are small growths (nodules) that start in the cell layer that lines the inner surface of the thyroid gland. The adenoma itself may secrete thyroid hormone. If the adenoma secretes enough thyroid hormone, it may cause hyperthyroidism.

Thyroid adenomas may be treated if they cause hyperthyroidism. Treatment may include surgery to remove part of the thyroid (the overactive nodule).

Cancerous thyroid tumors

Cancer of the thyroid occurs more often in people who have undergone radiation to the head, neck or chest. However, it may occur in people without any known risk factors. Most thyroid cancer can be cured with appropriate treatment. Thyroid cancer usually appears as nodules within the thyroid gland. Some signs that a nodule may be cancerous include:

• Presence of a single nodule rather than multiple nodules
• Thyroid scan reveals the nodule is not functioning
• Nodule is solid instead of filled with fluid (cyst)
• Nodule is hard
• Nodule grows fast

Thyroid cancer

Symptoms

The first sign of a cancerous nodule in the thyroid gland is usually a painless lump in the neck.

Other symptoms of thyroid cancer may include:

• Hoarseness or loss of voice as the cancer presses on the nerves to the voice box
• Difficulty swallowing as the cancer presses on the throat
• Throat or neck pain that does not go away
• Breathing problems
• A cough that does not go away

However, the symptoms of thyroid cancer may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your doctor for a diagnosis.

Diagnosis

In addition to a complete medical history and medical examination, diagnostic procedures for thyroid cancer may include:

• Blood tests
• Thyroid scan
• Ultrasound
• Biopsy (taking a sample of the nodule with a needle for examination under a microscope)

Types of thyroid cancer

Papillary thyroid cancer

Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common form of thyroid cancer, accounting for about 80 percent of all cases. This form of thyroid cancer affects more women than men.

Treatment for papillary cancer may include:

• Surgery: This is done to remove part or all of the thyroid (called a thyroidectomy) and sometimes nearby lymph nodes.
• Thyroid hormone therapy: This is done to suppress the pituitary gland from secreting more thyroid-stimulating hormone, which may stimulate a recurrence of papillary cancer.
• Administration of radioactive iodine: This is done to destroy any remaining thyroid tissue.

Follicular thyroid cancer

Follicular thyroid cancer accounts for about 10 percent of thyroid cancer cases. This type of thyroid cancer is more aggressive and tends to spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. Still, the prognosis (outlook) is very good in most cases.

Treatment for follicular cancer may include:

• Surgery: This is done to remove the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy) and sometimes nearby lymph nodes.
• Thyroid hormone therapy
• Administration of radioactive iodine: This is done to destroy any remaining thyroid tissue.

Anaplastic thyroid cancer

Anaplastic thyroid cancer tends to occur most often among women and accounts for about two percent of thyroid cancer cases. This quick-growing cancer usually results in a large growth in the neck. It has often spread to other parts of the body by the time it is found and is very hard to treat effectively.

Treatment for anaplastic thyroid cancer may include:

• Surgery: This is done to remove the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy) if it has not spread extensively, although this is rare.
• Chemotherapy (for example, anti-cancer drugs)
• Radiation therapy

Medullary thyroid cancer

Medullary thyroid cancer accounts for about four percent of thyroid cancers. It tends to spread through the lymphatic system (which consists of a system of vessels that connect lymph nodes throughout the body) and the bloodstream to other parts of the body.

This type of cancer produces excessive amounts of calcitonin, a hormone also produced by the thyroid gland itself.

Treatment for medullary thyroid cancer may include:

• Surgery: This is done to remove the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy) and sometimes nearby lymph nodes.
• Radiation therapy
• Targeted therapy drugs, such as vandetanib

Additional surgery or other treatments may be necessary if the cancer has spread. Because medullary cancer tends to run in families, screening tests for genetic abnormalities in the blood cells may be conducted.