Thyroid cancer is cancer affecting the thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck that produces hormones that control your heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and weight. It is the 8th most common cancer affecting women in Singapore.
Types of Thyroid Cancers
Thyroid cancers are classed according to their cell types
- Papillary thyroid cancer – This is the most common form that comes from the thyroid follicles.
- Follicular thyroid cancer – Also from thyroid follicles, it may be difficult to tell apart from non-cancerous thyroid nodules.
- Medullary thyroid cancer – This is a rare form of cancer that come from the cells located between thyroid follicles.
- Anaplastic thyroid cancer – While rare, this form of cancer is aggressive and has a poorer recovery rate.
- Thyroid lymphoma – A rare form of cancer, also known as non-Hodgkin lymphoma, that affects the white blood cells (lymphocytes).
Causes
Thyroid cancer may affect both the young and old. They are usually readily treatable and have very good cure rates, especially in younger patients.
Mutations of certain genes have been known to cause papillary and follicular thyroid cancer. Unfortunately, it is not clear what causes these gene mutations, although over-exposure to radiation is a well-established cause. Certain inherited medical conditions like hereditary polyposis and type 2 multiple endocrine neoplasia (rare) are linked to thyroid cancers as well.