| There are different types of thyroid cancer. Each type | | | | Factors that may increase the risk of cancer include: |
| requires a different type of prognosis and treatment. | | | | Radiation exposure - This includes instances of |
| The different types of thyroid cancer include: | | | | radiation treatment to the head and neck as well as |
| - Papillary | | | | from exposure to nuclear fallout or even nuclear |
| - Follicular | | | | weapons testing. |
| - Medullary | | | | Personal/family history of goiter - Goiter is not a |
| - Anaplastic | | | | cancer. It is the non-cancerous enlargement of the |
| - Thyroid lymphoma | | | | thyroid. |
| Papillary - | | | | Inherited genetic syndromes - If anyone in the family |
| This is the most common type of thyroid cancer; it | | | | has a history of medullary thyroid cancer, this could |
| makes up about 80% of all cases. | | | | increase the possibility of developing a form of thyroid |
| Papillary canceris not age-specific. It can happen at | | | | cancer. If anyone in the family has suffered from |
| any age, but happens to be common in patients | | | | multiple endocrine neoplasia and adenomatous |
| between ages 30 to 50 years of age. | | | | polyposis, this too can be a risk factor. |
| Follicular - Usually happens to individuals that are over | | | | Complications |
| 50 years of age. Follicular cancer also includes Hurthle | | | | Recurrences. It is possible for thyroid cancer to return |
| cell cancer. | | | | even after a previous instance of the cancer has |
| Medullary - There may be a connection with this type | | | | been removed. How does this happen? If any |
| of cancer and inherited genetic syndromes. These | | | | microscopic cancer cells spread beyond the thyroid |
| syndromes may, in fact, include tumors in other glands | | | | gland before its removal, those remaining mutated cells |
| as well. Medullary cancer happens sporadically. | | | | can continue to infect the gland. Such recurrences can |
| Anaplastic - This type is even less common. It is also | | | | even happen many years after treatment. |
| very, aggressive and difficult to treat. This particular | | | | Where does thyroid cancer usually occur? It usually |
| type of thyroid cancer occurs in individuals over the | | | | happens in the lymph nodes of the neck or in any |
| age of 60. | | | | infected thyroid tissue left behind during surgery. It can |
| Thyroid lymphoma - Thyroid lymphoma is even rarer. It | | | | also occur in the lungs or bones. |
| starts in the immune system cells of the thyroid gland. | | | | It is possible to treat recurrences and your doctor will |
| This version of the cancer usually happens in persons | | | | most likely recommend scheduled blood tests or scans |
| over the age of 70. | | | | to check for signs of any recurrence of the cancer. |
| Risk Factors | | | | |