Thyroid cancer develops when cells change or mutate. The abnormal cells begin multiplying in your thyroid and, once there are enough of them, they form a tumor. If it’s caught early, thyroid cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer. Papillary thyroid cancer. If you have thyroid cancer, you probably have this type.
Thyroid nodules are common but usually are not cancer. There are different types of thyroid cancer. Age, gender, and being exposed to radiation can affect the risk of thyroid cancer. Medullary thyroid cancer is sometimes caused by a change in a gene that is passed from parent to child. Signs of thyroid cancer include a swelling or lump in the neck.
Even when thyroid cancer is more advanced, effective treatment is available for the most common forms of thyroid cancer. Even though the diagnosis of cancer is terrifying, the prognosis for most patients with papillary and follicular thyroid cancer is excellent.
Most thyroid cancers aren't likely to recur, including the most common types of thyroid cancer — papillary thyroid cancer and follicular thyroid cancer. Your health care provider can tell you if your cancer has an increased risk of recurring based on the particulars of your cancer.