thyroid cancer

Introduction

most commonly is diagnosed between the ages of 35 and 65yrs
women 3x more affected than men
those of Asian descent have higher prevalence
most present as a thyroid nodule or an enlarged lymph node
four main types:
- papillary thyroid cancer (75-80% cases)
  - mainly young women
  - increased risk in those with familial adenomatous polyposis, Cowden syndrome.
- follicular thyroid cancer (10-20% of cases)
- medullary thyroid cancer (5-8% of cases)
- anaplastic thyroid cancer (1-2% of cases)
other types of cancers that may affect the thyroid:
- thyroid lymphoma
- squamous cell thyroid carcinoma
- sarcoma
- Hürthle cell carcinoma

environmental
- proximity to active volcanoes (eg. Mt Etna in Sicily ¹⁾
- exposure to ionizing radiation
  - iodine-131 eg. following nuclear power plant disasters
  - mantlefield radiation for Rx of lymphoma
- thyroiditis
genetic factors
- multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2
- familial adenomatous polyposis
- Cowden syndrome

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