Is Thyroid Cancer a Rare Cancer?
Thyroid cancer is a type of cancer that affects the thyroid gland, which is a small, butterfly-shaped organ located in the base of the neck. It is considered a rare cancer, with an estimated 54,000 new cases being diagnosed in the United States each year.
Incidence
The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2020, 54,000 new cases of thyroid cancer will be diagnosed in the United States, with about 14,000 cases resulting in death. Most of the new cases will be diagnosed in women, with an estimated 30,000 new cases in women and 24,000 in men.
Types
There are four types of thyroid cancer, differentiated by the type of cell that is affected. The most common type is papillary thyroid cancer, accounting for around 80% of all thyroid cancers. The other types of thyroid cancer are follicular, medullary, and anaplastic.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of thyroid cancer is unknown, but there are several risk factors associated with the disease. These include being female, having a family history of thyroid cancer, being exposed to radiation, being overweight, and having an autoimmune disorder such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Treatment
The treatment for thyroid cancer depends on the type of cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient’s overall health. Common treatments for thyroid cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, and medication. In some cases, a combination of treatments may be used.
Outlook
The outlook for thyroid cancer depends on the stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis. Overall, the five-year survival rate for people with thyroid cancer is 98%. With early detection and appropriate treatment, the survival rate can be even higher.