Thyroid Cancer / Disease

Diseases & Conditions

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Thyroid Cancer

Synonyms of Thyroid Cancer

Disorder Subdivisions

Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma
Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma
Hurthle Cell Carcinoma
Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma
Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Primary Squamous Carcinoma of the Thyroid
Thyroid Lymphoma
Thyroid Teratoma

General Discussion
Thyroid cancer (carcinoma) is cancer affecting the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped structure located at the base of the neck. The thyroid is part of the endocrine system, the network of glands that secrete hormones that regulate the chemical processes (metabolism) that influence the body?s activities as well as regulating the heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure. Hormones are secreted directly into the bloodstream where they travel to various areas of the body. In many cases, there are no symptoms (asymptomatic) associated with thyroid cancer. Pain in the neck, hoarseness and swollen lymph nodes especially in the neck may be present in some cases.

The term cancer refers to a group of diseases characterized by abnormal, uncontrolled cellular growth that invades surrounding tissues and may spread (metastasize) to distant bodily tissues or organs via the bloodstream, the lymphatic system, or other means. Different forms of cancer, including thyroid cancer, may be classified based upon the cell type involved, the specific nature of the malignancy, and the disease's clinical course. The four main types of thyroid cancer are papillary, follicular, medullary and anaplastic. Rare forms of thyroid cancer include thyroid teratoma, lymphoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.

Although thyroid cancer is rare, it is the most common form of cancer affecting the endocrine system. Most forms rarely cause pain or disability and are easily treated with surgery and follow-up therapy.

Organizations related to Thyroid Cancer

American Cancer Society, Inc.
1599 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta GA 30329
Phone #: 404-320-3333
800 #: 800-227-2345
e-mail: N/A
Home page: http://www.cancer.org
Cancer.Net
American Society of Clinical Oncology
Alexandria VA 22314
Phone #: 571-483-1780
800 #: 888-651-3038
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://www.cancer.net/patient
Friends of Cancer Research
2231 Crystal Drive
Arlington VA 22202
Phone #: 703-302-1503
800 #: N/A
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://www.focr.org
Lance Armstrong Foundation
PO Box 161550
Austin TX 78716-1150
Phone #: 512-236-8820
800 #: 866-235-7205
e-mail: N/A
Home page: http://www.livestrong.org
MUMS (Mothers United for Moral Support, Inc) National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay WI 54301-1243
Phone #: 920-336-5333
800 #: 877-336-5333
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://www.netnet.net/mums/
National Cancer Institute
6116 Executive Blvd, MSC 8322, Room 3036A
Bethesda MD 20892-8322
Phone #: 301-435-3848
800 #: 800-422-6237
e-mail: N/A
Home page: http://www.cancer.gov
ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc.
PO Box 1545
New York NY 10159-1545
Phone #: 877-588-7904
800 #: 877-855-7904
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://www.thyca.org
UCSF Hemophilia Treatment Center
400 Parnassus Ave.
San Francisco CA 94143
Phone #: 415-353-2986
800 #: N/A
e-mail: N/A
Home page: http://www.ucsfhealth.org/adult/medical_services/blood/hemophilia/index.html
Wellness Community
919 18th Street N.W.
Washington DC 20006
Phone #: 202-659-9709
800 #: 888-793-9355
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ? (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html