Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer starts when cells in the thyroid gland (a small, butterfly‑shaped gland at the front of your neck) grow abnormally. There are several types:

• Papillary – the most common and usually slow‑growing.
• Follicular – often slow‑growing and highly treatable.
• Medullary – can run in families and may need genetic testing.
• Anaplastic – a rare, aggressive type found mainly in older adults.
  

Thyroid cancer is uncommon, making up around 1–2 % of all cancers in the UK. It is more common in women and people aged between 30 and 60. Most cases are highly treatable, especially when found early.

• A painless lump or swelling in the front of the neck
• Hoarseness or voice changes that don’t improve
• Difficulty or discomfort when swallowing
• A persistent cough not related to a cold
• Neck pain that may reach the ears
• Swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck
  

• Previous radiation exposure to the head or neck (especially in childhood)
• Family history of thyroid cancer or certain genetic conditions (e.g. MEN2)
• Female sex
• Age 30 – 60
• Iodine deficiency or excess (rare in the UK)
  

• Physical examination by your GP or specialist
• Blood tests to check thyroid function and tumour markers
• Ultrasound scan of the neck
• Fine‑needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy – a thin needle removes cells for testing
• CT, MRI, or PET scans if more detail is needed
• Genetic testing for medullary thyroid cancer in some cases
  

• Surgery – removal of part (lobectomy) or all (total thyroidectomy) of the thyroid
• Radioactive iodine treatment – a capsule or drink of radioactive iodine to destroy any remaining thyroid tissue or cancer cells (mainly for papillary and follicular types)
• Thyroid hormone tablets – replace hormones and lower the chance of cancer coming back by keeping TSH low
• External beam radiotherapy – occasionally used for certain tumours or if surgery isn’t possible
• Targeted therapies (tablets) – such as tyrosine‑kinase inhibitors for advanced or spreading cancer
• Chemotherapy – rarely used, mainly for anaplastic thyroid cancer
  

• Regular blood tests (TSH and thyroglobulin) and neck ultrasound
• Radioiodine scans if you have had radioactive iodine treatment
• Lifelong thyroid hormone replacement tablets
• Monitoring calcium levels if parathyroid glands were affected during surgery
• Voice therapy if there are voice changes after surgery
  

The outlook is generally excellent for papillary and follicular cancers – more than 9 out of 10 people are alive 10 years after diagnosis. Medullary cancer outcomes vary but are often good when caught early. Anaplastic thyroid cancer is uncommon and requires prompt, intensive treatment.

• Take thyroid hormone tablets exactly as prescribed
• Attend all follow‑up appointments and scans
• Eat a balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight
• Avoid smoking and limit alcohol
• Seek support from family, friends, or cancer support groups
  

• Sudden swelling or pain in the neck
• New or worsening difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Tingling or cramps in hands, feet, or lips (possible low calcium)
• Persistent hoarseness or voice loss
  

• Macmillan Cancer Support – www.macmillan.org.uk
• Butterfly Thyroid Cancer Trust – www.butterfly.org.uk
• British Thyroid Foundation – www.btf-thyroid.org
• Thyroid Cancer Support Group UK – www.thyroidcancer.org.uk
• NHS website – www.nhs.uk