Types of Thyroid Cancer

Second, only to ovarian carcinoma, thyroid carcinoma is the most common endocrine cancer that results in death. Thyroid cancer is now on the rise at a rate faster than any other type of cancer. Therefore, this article aims to discuss the commonness of thyroid malignancies among types of thyroid cancer.

Thyroid cancer is one of the most common cancers among all cancer in the context of Nepal. According to data from Kathmandu Post, 2019, it has a 10-year survival rate in more than 90% of patients after treatment, making it one of the relatively better cancers to get.

The thyroid gland can be affected by a variety of cancers, which are categorized according to their similarity to normal thyroid cells under a microscope (differentiated vs. undifferentiated) and the type of cell they originate from.

Thyroid cancer can be one of four main types:

• Papillary        
• Follicular
• Anaplastic      
• medullary
• and Lymphoma

The differentiated (papillary or follicular) form of thyroid cancer accounts for more than 80% of patients and has a 97% cure rate.

However, in uncommon cases, thyroid disease is aggressive and spreads quickly or returns. A subset of patients may also have a form that does not respond well to treatment with radioactive iodine.

Papillary thyroid cancer

Papillary carcinomas are differentiated, slow-growing cancers that originate in follicular cells and can spread to one or both thyroid lobes. This is the most prevalent form of thyroid cancer i.e., 75 % overall, affecting women between the ages of 40 and 50 in approximately 80% of cases. This kind of cancer can spread to lymph nodes in the neck that are nearby, but it is generally treatable and has a good prognosis (a good chance of survival).

The differentiated form is present in more than 90% of thyroid cancer patients. According to the American Cancer Society, the good news is that this kind of thyroid cancer has a very high survival rate i.e., 98% for women and 93 % for men.

Follicular thyroid cancer

As per the data from Medscape, Follicular carcinoma, also known as follicular thyroid cancer, is the second most common thyroid cancer in women (15%) and typically occurs between the ages of 40 and 60 and is responsible for about one in ten cases. It occurs more frequently in nations where iodine intake in the diet is low. Despite being slightly more aggressive than papillary cancer, it is associated with a favorable prognosis in the majority of cases. Follicular carcinomas are more likely to spread than papillary cancers via hematogenous spread to other organs, such as the lungs or the bones, but they rarely spread to nearby lymph nodes.

Medullary thyroid cancer

As opposed to papillary or follicular cancers, medullary thyroid cancer, also known as medullary thyroid carcinoma, is more aggressive and less differentiated. These develop in parafollicular cells (C-cells, which are derived from neural crest cells) and account for approximately 3% of thyroid cancers. As a result, they raise calcitonin levels and are associated with MEN 2 syndrome (both 2a and 2b) in 20% of cases data from TeachMeSurgery. The medullary subtype of thyroid cancer will account for about 4% of all cases. Compared to more differentiated thyroid cancers, these cancers are more likely to spread to lymph nodes and other organs. Thyroid blood tests can also detect high levels of calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) that they frequently release. Both lymphatic and medullary routes can spread medullary carcinoma; Sadly, the prognosis for the nodal disease is extremely poor.

MTC is known to be of two types:

1.         Sporadic (80% of cases, frequently in more seasoned grown-ups)

2.         Familial (usually present in early adulthood or childhood). This type spreads all the more quickly. The gene that causes familial MTC can be found through a blood test. Genetic testing is something you should inquire about with your doctor if you have a family history of thyroid cancer.

Anaplastic thyroid cancer

Anaplastic thyroid cancer is deadliest types of thyroid cancer.

The most undifferentiated form of thyroid cancer, also known as anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, resembles the thyroid gland’s normal cells in the least. They will generally develop quickly with early neighborhood attacks and frequently spread when shown. The prognosis is poor and treatment is frequently steady.

It is a rare form of thyroid cancer that affects about 2% of thyroid cancer cases.

These uncommon tumors, which cause 5% of thyroid cancers, typically affect the elderly and are extremely aggressive.

Hürthle cell thyroid cancer

Hurthle cell growths are a variation of follicular neoplasms wherein oxyphil cells prevail, an intriguing thyroid disease. About 3% of all thyroid cancers are caused by this subtype of follicular carcinoma. They will quite often develop and spread all the more rapidly.

There are additionally a few intriguing (2-4% of cases) sub-types called: Columnar, Tall Cell, Separate, Diffuse Sclerosis, and Hürthle Cell carcinoma (otherwise called Oxyphil Cell Carcinoma).

Other forms

Thyroid sarcoma and thyroid lymphoma are two other extremely uncommon types.

Only 1% to 2% of all thyroid cancers are caused by thyroid lymphomas. They typically affect people over the age of 60. They may develop B-cell symptoms and compressive signs at a rapid rate.

NOTE: Patients with thyroid cancer generally have an excellent prognosis, even those with aggressive forms.