Thyroid cancer

The thyroid is a small gland in the front of your neck, just below your voicebox (larynx). It's part of the endocrine system, which makes hormones that help control the way your body functions.

Thyroid cancer isn't common. Around 3,500 people in the UK are diagnosed with it each year. It can happen at any age, though it's more common in women.

The thyroid gland sits close to the parathyroid glands. The names sound alike, but the glands do different things, and thyroid cancer and parathyroid cancer are treated in different ways. Macmillan Cancer Support, a UK charity, has separate information about parathyroid cancer.

Thyroid cancer comes in different types. The two most common are papillary and follicular thyroid cancer, and when they're grouped together they are called differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC).

Follicular thyroid cancer is a less common type of thyroid cancer. It's mostly found in middle-aged people.

Macmillan Cancer Support has more information about follicular thyroid cancer.

Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a rare type of thyroid cancer, and it can sometimes run in families. Macmillan Cancer Support has more information about medullary thyroid cancer.

Anaplastic thyroid cancer is very rare, and it grows fast. Macmillan Cancer Support has more information about anaplastic thyroid cancer.

Thyroid lymphomas start in the lymph tissue of the thyroid. This lymph tissue is part of the body's lymphatic system. Most thyroid lymphomas are a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), so they are treated with the treatments used for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The most common symptom of thyroid cancer is a painless lump in the neck. Most thyroid lumps are not cancerous (benign), but it's important to get any lump checked.

Other symptoms include:

• a hoarse voice that has no obvious cause and doesn't go away after a few weeks
• difficulty swallowing, caused by a thyroid tumour pressing on the gullet (oesophagus)
• difficulty breathing, caused by a thyroid tumour pressing on the windpipe (trachea)
• pain in the front of the neck

See your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of these symptoms.

Different types of thyroid cancer may have other symptoms. Macmillan Cancer Support has more information about the symptoms of:

• papillary cancer
• follicular cancer
• medullary cancer
• anaplastic cancer

In most people with thyroid cancer, the cause isn't known. But some things may increase your risk of developing it.

The risk factors differ depending on the type of thyroid cancer you have.

Macmillan Cancer Support has more information on the causes of:

• papillary and follicular thyroid cancer
• medullary thyroid cancer
• anaplastic thyroid cancer

The stage of a thyroid cancer describes how big it is and whether it has spread from where it started. Staging helps doctors plan the best treatment for you.

Each type of thyroid cancer is staged differently. Macmillan Cancer Support has more information about the staging of:

• papillary and follicular thyroid cancer
• medullary thyroid cancer
• anaplastic thyroid cancer

The treatment you get for thyroid cancer depends on the:

• type of thyroid cancer
• the stage of the cancer
• your general health

Once your test results are back, you and your doctor start talking about your treatment options.

Your doctor usually meets with other specialists to discuss the best possible treatment for you. This group is called a multidisciplinary team (MDT).

The MDT looks at national treatment guidelines or the latest evidence for the type of cancer you have. If you have any treatment preferences, your doctor will tell the team about them.

Thyroid surgery is usually the main treatment for most types of thyroid cancer. You often have other treatment after surgery.

Different types of thyroid cancer are treated differently. Macmillan Cancer Support has information about treatment for:

• papillary and follicular thyroid cancer
• anaplastic thyroid cancer
• medullary thyroid cancer

Some people find that the side effects of their treatment slowly get better with time, while others have side effects that carry on. Recovery after treatment for thyroid cancer can take a while.

You'll have regular follow up appointments once your treatment has finished. How often you go depends on the type of thyroid cancer you have and the kinds of treatment you had.

If you have any problems or notice any symptoms between check-ups, tell your doctor as soon as possible.

You can also talk to your doctor or nurse if you feel you need more support.

Even if you already live a healthy life, you may want to make a few positive changes after your thyroid cancer treatment. Small things, like eating well and staying active, can improve your health and wellbeing and help your body recover.

You may have lots of different emotions after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. You may feel anxious between appointments, and that's natural. It may help to get support from family, friends or a support organisation.

Macmillan Cancer Support also has further information to support you. You can:

• phone the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00
• chat to Macmillan specialists online
• use the Macmillan thyroid cancer forum, where you can talk to others affected by thyroid cancer, ask questions and share your experience

Other organisations who offer information and support include:

• The Butterfly Thyroid Cancer Trust
• The British Thyroid Foundation

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