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Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common type of thyroid cancer, originating in the thyroid gland.
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It's often slow-growing and can be successfully treated, with a low risk of being fatal.
While symptoms are often not noticeable in early stages, as the cancer grows, a lump or nodule in the neck may appear, along with swollen lymph nodes, or pain in the throat or neck.
Key Characteristics:
Prevalence:
Papillary thyroid cancer accounts for up to 80% of all thyroid cancer cases and is more common in women, especially those in their childbearing years.
Slow-growing:
It typically has an indolent (slow) growth pattern, meaning it develops gradually.
Metastasis:
While it tends to invade lymphatics (vessels that drain fluid from tissues), it is less likely to invade blood vessels.
Lymph Node Involvement:
It frequently spreads to nearby lymph nodes in the neck, which may be the first sign of the disease.
Distant Metastasis:
Spread to other parts of the body (distant metastasis) is relatively uncommon.
Symptoms:
- Neck lump or nodule: A noticeable lump or swelling in the neck is a common early symptom.
- Swollen lymph nodes: Swelling in the lymph nodes in the neck.
- Throat or neck pain: Pain or discomfort in the throat or neck area.
- Hoarseness: Difficulty speaking or a change in voice quality.
- Difficulty swallowing: A feeling that food or pills get stuck when swallowing.
- Breathing difficulties: Pressure on the trachea (windpipe) from a large tumor can cause shortness of breath, especially when lying down.
Important Considerations:
Early detection:
Early diagnosis and treatment of papillary thyroid cancer often leads to successful outcomes.
Aggressive variants:
There are some more aggressive variants of papillary thyroid cancer that require more intensive treatment.
Individualized treatment:
Treatment approaches vary based on the specific characteristics of the cancer and the patient's overall health.
Prognosis:
While papillary thyroid cancer is rarely fatal, lymph node involvement can increase the risk of recurrence (cancer returning after treatment).
This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional. AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more
Papillary thyroid cancer, which is the most common type of thyroid cancer, makes up about 80% of all cases of thyroid cancer. It is one of the fastest ...
People also ask
What is the survival rate for papillary thyroid cancer?
Can you survive papillary thyroid cancer? The survival rate for papillary thyroid cancer is excellent. More than 90% of adults with PTC survive at least 10 to 20 years after treatment.
What is the first line treatment for papillary thyroid cancer?
Most papillary thyroid cancers are treated with surgery. This is most often a total thyroidectomy (in which the entire thyroid is removed), although some small tumors can be treated with a lobectomy (just removing the side of the thyroid containing the tumor).
Does papillary thyroid cancer need chemotherapy?
See RAI ablation ». Fortunately, patients with papillary thyroid cancer rarely need chemotherapy or traditional external beam radiation therapy.
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