Thyroid cancer care

Thyroid cancer develops in the thyroid cells, a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck. Most cases of thyroid cancer can be cured with treatment.

There are four types of thyroid cancer:

• Papillary thyroid cancer: This is the most common type and has the best possible outcome. It accounts for up to 80% of all cases. It spreads slowly and usually affects women of childbearing age.
• Follicular thyroid cancer: This is the second most common type of thyroid cancer and typically affects adults between the ages of 40 and 60.
• Medullary thyroid cancer: This type of thyroid cancer is rare and accounts for 3% to 5% of thyroid cancer cases. It has often spread to the lymph nodes by the time it is diagnosed and occurs most often in older adults.
• Anaplastic thyroid cancer: This is a rare type of thyroid cancer, accounting for just 1% of all cases. It grows quickly and typically affects people 65 or older.

Advocate Health Care's dedicated cancer care team is passionate about helping people with all stages of thyroid cancer receive the latest care for the most optimal outcome.

Find an Advocate Cancer Institute near you.

Symptoms of thyroid cancer

If thyroid cancer is in the early stages, you may not have any symptoms. The first sign of thyroid cancer is a lump or swelling in your neck. You or your doctor may notice this lump. As thyroid cancer progresses, the symptoms may include:

• Trouble breathing or swallowing
• Pain in the front of your neck that can spread to your ears
• Hoarseness or other persistent changes in your voice
• Constant cough

Thyroid cancer risk factors

While experts don’t yet fully know what causes thyroid cancer, there are risk factors that may make you more likely to develop the disease. Risk factors of thyroid cancer include:

• Genetics (gene mutations and genetic conditions)
• Female gender (women are three times more likely to develop thyroid cancer than men)
• Family history of thyroid cancer
• Exposure to high amounts of radiation (such as from medical treatments during childhood)
• Diet low in iodine (very rare in the US)
• Age (most cases occur in people younger than 55)

Treatments & therapies

Experienced oncologists at Advocate Health Care provide a wide array of treatments for thyroid cancer. Your options for treating thyroid cancer will depend on the type and stage of the cancer.

In most cases, surgery will be recommended to remove part or all of the thyroid gland. Other standard treatments may include thyroid hormone therapy, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy.

Most people are completely cured of thyroid cancer in the early stages, before it spreads to other parts of the body.