Thyroid Cancer

Types

Malignant thyroid tumors include:

Papillary Cancer

The most common form of thyroid cancer, papillary cancer arises from follicle cells. People between 30 and 50 years old are most at risk to experience this condition. It results in a single tumor, often shaped like a mushroom, in one of the thyroid lobes. Papillary tumors tend to grow slowly.

Hürthle Cell Cancer

A rare thyroid tumor, Hürthle cell cancer can be benign or malignant and made up of follicular or papillary cells. It is more common in older people.

Follicular Cancer

Follicular cancer arises from the follicle cells of the thyroid. It usually affects people older than 50. Like papillary tumors, follicular thyroid tumors tend to grow slowly.

Anaplastic Cancer

Anaplastic thyroid cancer is rare and often deadly. It appears to develop from follicle cells. The cancer cells look very different from healthy follicle cells. Anaplastic thyroid cancer tends to grow and spread quickly.

Medullary Cancer

In medullary thyroid cancer, C cells in both lobes of the thyroid develop medullary cancer simultaneously. This cancer produces excess levels of the hormone calcitonin that can be detected in the bloodstream at a very early stage. The three main subtypes of medullary cancer are: sporadic; multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) types IIa and IIb; and familial. It is easier to treat when detected early.

Thyroid Lymphoma

Thyroid lymphoma is a rare form of thyroid cancer. It develops in lymphocyte cells of the immune system and sometimes shows up in the thyroid. It may grow very quickly.