Thyroid Cancer

Personalised treatments designed to fight cancer while minimising side effects.

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What is Thyroid Cancer?

Thyroid cancer develops in the thyroid gland, a small butterfly-shaped organ located at the base of the neck. The thyroid produces hormones that regulate metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature. When abnormal cells in the thyroid grow uncontrollably, they may form nodules or tumors, which can be benign or malignant. Malignant nodules are considered thyroid cancer and require further evaluation and treatment.

How Common is Thyroid Cancer in Malaysia?

According to GLOBOCAN 2020, thyroid cancer is among the top 10 cancers in women in Malaysia, with over 800 new cases diagnosed annually. It is more common in women than men and often occurs between the ages of 30 and 60.

Signs and Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer may not cause obvious symptoms in its early stages. Some signs and symptoms include:

How is Thyroid Cancer Diagnosed?

Evaluation of suspected thyroid cancer often includes:

Neck examination to detect lumps or nodules
Ultrasound imaging to assess nodules and surrounding structures
Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy to test if a nodule is cancerous
Blood tests to measure thyroid hormone levels and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
CT scans or PET scans in selected cases to evaluate spread

Causes and Risk Factors of Thyroid Cancer

While the exact cause is not always clear, certain factors increase risk:

Types of Thyroid Cancer

Papillary thyroid cancer

Grow more slowly and are usually sensitive to radiation therapy

Follicular thyroid cancer

Can spread through the bloodstream to lungs or bones

Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC)

Less common, can be hereditary, requires genetic testing

Anaplastic thyroid cancer

A rare but aggressive type that grows rapidly and is more difficult to treat

Stages of Thyroid Cancer

Staging depends on the size of the tumor, whether it has spread to nearby lymph nodes, and if it has metastasized to distant organs:

Stage I–II

Localized disease in the thyroid

Stage III

Spread to nearby lymph nodes or tissues

Stage IV

Spread to distant organs such as lungs or bones

Staging plays a crucial role in determining the appropriate treatment options and predicting the prognosis for bladder cancer patients. Various diagnostic tests, such as imaging, biopsies, and sometimes surgical exploration, are done to accurately determine the stage of bladder cancer in each individual case.