Thyroid cancer

Abstract

Thyroid neoplasms represent the most-common endocrine tumour and constitute an extremely varied spectrum of disease. At the most severe end, they may have a very poor prognosis. Malignant thyroid tumours constitute around 1% of cancers and cancer-specific deaths in the UK, with just under 3000 new diagnoses each year and around 350 deaths annually in the UK alone. Although the incidence has doubled over the last 20 years, the mortality rate among men has not changed, although survival rates have improved in women. Thyroid cancer originates from follicular or parafollicular thyroid cells that can give rise to cancer that is well-differentiated to poorly differentiated. Most tumours retain endocrine differentiation, however, and may cause problematic symptoms from aberrant hormone levels.