Thyroid cancer is a cancerous tumor or growth located within the thyroid gland.Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer. Thyroid cancer is one of the few cancers that has increased in incidence rates over recent years. It occurs in all age groups from children through seniors. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 62,450 new cases of thyroid cancer in the U.S. in an average year. Of these new cases, about 47,230 will occur in women and about 15,220 will occur in men. About 1,950 people (1,080 women and 870 men) will die of thyroid cancer in an average year. Many patients, especially in the early stages of thyroid cancer, do not experience symptoms. However, as the cancer develops symptoms can include a lump or nodule in the front of the neck, hoarseness or difficulty speaking, …show more content…
Cancer has not spread to other parts of the body. In stage 2 papillary and follicular thyroid cancer, the tumor is any size and cancer has spread from the thyroid to other parts of the body, such as the lungs and bone, and may have spread to lymph nodes. Thyroid cancer in patients older than 45 years of age In stage 1 papillary and follicular thyroid cancer, cancer is found only in the thyroid and the tumor is 2 centimeters or smaller. In stage 2 papillary and follicular thyroid cancer, cancer is only in the thyroid and the tumor is 2 centimeters or smaller. In stage 3 papillary and follicular thyroid cancer, either of the following is found:
*the tumor is larger than 4 centimeters and only in the thyroid or the tumor is any size and cancer has spread to tissues just outside the thyroid, but not to lymph nodes;