Q:
What are the types of thyroid cancer?
A:
Thyroid cancers can be divided into different types based on what the cells look like under a microscope. If a person develops the cancer, his treatment will depend on which type of thyroid cancer he has.
Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC)
PTC is the most common type of thyroid cancer which begins developing in follicular cells and is usually found in one lobe of the thyroid. It grows slowly, but it can spread to other parts of the body, such as lymph nodes in the neck, lungs and bones.
Follicular thyroid cancer (FTC)
FTC is the second most common type of thyroid cancer. When people do not have enough iodine from foods, they are likely to develop the cancer. FTC can also move to another organ. Cancer cells in FTC can spread to the lungs.
Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC)
When MTC is diagnosed, it always has moved to lymph nodes, liver or lungs. There are two types of MTC, sporadic MTC and familial MTC. The former occurs in adults, affecting only one lobe of the gland, while the latter can develop in early childhood in families and move to other structures.
Anaplastic carcinoma
Anaplastic carcinoma is an aggressive cancer and it is very rare. By the time it is diagnosed, it has often affected other parts of the body. Anaplastic carcinoma develops fast and is the most deadly type of thyroid cancer.
Thyroid lymphoma
Thyroid lymphoma is another rare type of thyroid cancer. It causes the gland to grow abnormally larger.
Keywords: types thyroid cancer
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