Thyroid cancer is of several types and are classified based on the type of cells from which they originate. Most of them grow very slowly, and some can be very aggressive.However, most cases of thyroid cancer get cured with treatment.
- Some types of thyroid cancer are:
- Papillary: Up to 80% of all thyroid cancers are papillary. This cancer type grows slowly. Papillary thyroid cancer often spreads to lymph nodes in the neck. Papillary thyroid cancer is highly curable and rarely fatal.
- Follicular: Follicular thyroid cancer accounts for up to 15% of thyroid cancer diagnoses. This cancer is more likely to spread to bones and organs, like the lungs.
- Hurthle Cell Carcinoma: It is a rare type of follicular carcinoma. They absorb less radioactive iodine than papillary and follicular thyroid tumours, so surgery is the only treatment.
- Medullary: About 2% of thyroid cancers are medullary. Some people with medullary thyroid cancer have a family history of the disease.
- Anaplastic: This rare and aggressive type of cancer accounts for about 2% of thyroid cancer diagnoses. It can grow quickly and often spreads into surrounding tissue and other body parts.
