The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped gland that is located in the front of your neck. It has many blood vessels and many nerves that pass through it. It is an important gland in your body. “The thyroid’s job is to make thyroid hormones, which are secreted into the blood and then carried to every tissue in the body. Thyroid hormone helps the body use energy, stay warm and keep the brain, heart, muscles, and other organs working as they should” (“ATA”). “It influences metabolism, growth, and development” (“WMD”). Thyroxine, also called T4, is the main hormone in the thyroid.
Thyroid cancer occurs when the cells in your thyroid go through changes. The changes allow cells to grow and multiply. These abnormal cells form a tumor. “The abnormal cells can invade nearby tissue and can spread throughout the body” (“Staff”). “According to the National Cancer Institute, there are about 56,000 new cases of thyroid cancer in the US each year. Thyroid cancer can occur in any age group, although it is most common after age 30, and its aggressiveness increases significantly in older patients. Thyroid cancer does not always cause …show more content…
Follicular carcinoma is considered more malignant than papillary carcinoma. Its peak onset is between the ages of 40-60. It occurs more common in females than in males. There is the potential for spread to the lungs, bone, brain, liver and bladder.
Medullary thyroid cancer is the third most common type of thyroid cancer and makes up about 3% of all thyroid cancer. Medullary thyroid cancer originates from the parafollicular cells (also called C cells) of the thyroid. This type has a lower cure rate than papillary and follicular and it can be associated with other endocrine tumors. It is more common in females than in males. It spreads to lymph nodes early and distant organs (liver, bone and adrenal medulla) late. Certain genetic syndromes can increase the risk of medullary thyroid
Thyroid cancer occurs when the cells in your thyroid go through changes. The changes allow cells to grow and multiply. These abnormal cells form a tumor. “The abnormal cells can invade nearby tissue and can spread throughout the body” (“Staff”). “According to the National Cancer Institute, there are about 56,000 new cases of thyroid cancer in the US each year. Thyroid cancer can occur in any age group, although it is most common after age 30, and its aggressiveness increases significantly in older patients. Thyroid cancer does not always cause …show more content…
Follicular carcinoma is considered more malignant than papillary carcinoma. Its peak onset is between the ages of 40-60. It occurs more common in females than in males. There is the potential for spread to the lungs, bone, brain, liver and bladder.
Medullary thyroid cancer is the third most common type of thyroid cancer and makes up about 3% of all thyroid cancer. Medullary thyroid cancer originates from the parafollicular cells (also called C cells) of the thyroid. This type has a lower cure rate than papillary and follicular and it can be associated with other endocrine tumors. It is more common in females than in males. It spreads to lymph nodes early and distant organs (liver, bone and adrenal medulla) late. Certain genetic syndromes can increase the risk of medullary thyroid