Types of Thyroid Cancer

This type of thyroid cancer is the most common. 80% of people with thyroid cancer have this type. It develops from thyroid follicular cells, which are cells that make thyroid hormone using iodine from the food you eat. Papillary thyroid cancer tends to grow slowly over time. If it spreads outside the thyroid, it usually goes to the nearby lymph nodes in the neck. Sometimes, it can spread further, to the lungs or the bones.

The main treatment for papillary thyroid cancer is surgery. If needed, this type of cancer can often be treated with radioactive iodine therapy after surgery.

Only about five of every 100 people with thyroid cancer have this type. It begins in the C cells, which make up a small part of the thyroid. Like normal C cells, medullary thyroid cancer makes a hormone called calcitonin. Medullary thyroid cancer can be more aggressive and fast growing. It’s also more likely to spread to other parts of the body, like the lymph nodes. The main treatment is surgery. Because this type of cancer starts in C cells (not in thyroid follicular cells, where iodine collects), radioactive iodine therapy doesn’t work well. Some patients may get chemotherapy as part of a clinical trial.

One of every four people with this type of cancer has a form that is caused by genes passed down in families. Sometimes, these people also develop other endocrine tumors, like adrenal and parathyroid gland tumors.

This type of thyroid cancer is rare. Only one or two of every 100 people with thyroid cancer have this type. It is aggressive and can grow very quickly, moving into other structures in the neck and spreading around the body. It is the most difficult type to treat. Usually, treatments involve chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and sometimes surgery.

Like papillary thyroid cancer, follicular thyroid cancer develops from follicular cells, but it is less common. About 15 of every 100 people with thyroid cancer have this type. It tends to grow slowly over time, and it may spread to other organs, like the lymph nodes, lungs or bones. The main treatment is surgery. If needed, this type of cancer can often be treated with radioactive iodine therapy after surgery.

This type is also known as oncocytic carcinoma of the thyroid. Only a small percentage of thyroid cancers are this type, which tends to be harder to find and to treat. The main treatment is surgery.