Thyroid Cancer

Hyperthyroidism Slideshow

Thyroid Cancer Overview

The thyroid gland is located low in the front of the neck, below the Adam's apple. The gland is shaped like a butterfly and wraps around the windpipe or trachea. The two wings or lobes on either side of the windpipe are joined together by a bridge, called the isthmus, which crosses over the front of the windpipe.

Thyroid cancer accounts for nearly 2% of all new cancers diagnosed in the United States every year, according to the U.S. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registry (SEER) predictions. Over the last 10 years, thyroid cancer has had a larger increase in incidence than any other type of cancer.

Thyroid cancer occurs in all age groups, although its incidence increases with age, especially after 30 years of age. More aggressive forms of thyroid cancer are found in older patients. Thyroid cancer occurs three times more frequently in women than in men. Thyroid cancer originates from one of two different types of thyroid cells: follicular cells or so-called parafollicular, or C cells.

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Thyroid Cancer - Symptoms At Onset Of Disease

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The symptoms of thyroid cancer can vary greatly from patient to patient. What were your symptoms at the onset of your disease?

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