The thyroid is an important gland responsible for many essential bodily functions. As a result, thyroid cancer can lead to numerous health effects and requires timely treatment to effectively manage the condition. Additionally, different types of thyroid cancer may require a different approach based on their progression and severity.
The good news is that papillary forms of thyroid cancer are the most common and most treatable among all types. Patients typically experience slow advancement with this type of cancer, although there’s typically lymph node involvement with papillary types.
Follicular thyroid cancer affects fewer people than papillary types but is associated with more serious health problems. While papillary cancer usually only affects the thyroid and lymph nodes, follicular types can spread to other areas of the body (which is known as metastasis). The dispersal of cancerous cells makes finding an effective treatment more difficult.
Extremely rare, medullary types of thyroid cancer may have a genetic component. Genetic mutations can happen spontaneously, or they can be passed along in families. The outlook for medullary cancer depends on a person’s current state of health, as well as the stage of the cancer upon diagnosis.
Also rare, anaplastic thyroid cancer is known for having an aggressive progression. This form of cancer is likely to spread to other areas of the body and generally develops at a faster rate than other types.
Regardless of the type of thyroid cancer a person experiences, cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and targeted drug therapy can be used to limit the spread and alleviate symptoms. Additionally, some cancer sufferers may require hormone therapy after the procedure to ensure proper thyroid function. This is particularly true when cancer treatments involve surgery to remove all or part of the gland.