Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer affects the butterfly-shaped thyroid gland in your neck. The five types of thyroid cancer indicate the location of the tumor. 

Like the other head and neck cancers we treat at Goshen Center for Cancer Care, we take an integrative approach to healing thyroid cancer. With mind-body counselors, naturopathic medicine specialists and board certified, fellowship trained oncologists, you’ll be surrounded by experts who will work to ensure your best quality of life.

What is thyroid cancer?

Thyroid cancer indicates the presence of malignant cancer cells in any part of the thyroid gland.

The five types of thyroid cancer are:

• Medullary thyroid carcinoma – starts in the cells that make the hormone calcitonin
• Follicular carcinoma – starts in the cells that make the thyroid hormone
• Hurthle cell carcinoma – a type of follicular carcinoma that’s harder to detect and treat
• Papillary carcinoma – often develops in one lobe of the thyroid gland
• Anaplastic carcinoma – develops when papillary and follicular cancers mutate into a very aggressive form

Thyroid cancer symptoms, causes and risk factors

Symptoms of thyroid cancer often show up in the later stages. They can include:

• A lump or swelling in the neck
• Constant cough
• Voice changes, including hoarseness
• Pain in the front of neck that can extend to the ears
• Trouble breathing or swallowing

Some factors increase the risk of getting thyroid cancer, but anyone can develop the condition. Known risk factors include:

• Gene mutations
• Female gender
• Exposure to high amounts of radiation, especially during childhood
• A diet low in iodine
• Age – most thyroid cancers occur in people younger than 55

Treating thyroid cancer at Goshen Center for Cancer Care

For most people, surgery to remove the cancer is the main treatment.

Since we value an integrative approach to cancer treatment, you may also receive:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Targeted therapy
• Thyroid hormone therapy
• Naturopathic medicine

It’s possible to be completely cured of thyroid cancer when it’s treated in the early stages.