MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Anaplastic thyroid cancer

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Anaplastic thyroid cancer

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative Names Definition Causes Symptoms Exams and Tests	Treatment Support Groups Outlook (Prognosis) Possible Complications When to Contact a Medical Professional

Illustrations

Thyroid cancer - CT scan

Thyroid gland

Alternative Names Return to top

Anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid

Definition Return to top

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is an aggressive form of cancer of the thyroid gland.

Causes Return to top

Anaplastic thyroid cancer grows very rapidly and is an invasive type of thyroid cancer. It occurs most often in people over age 60. The cause is unknown. Thyroid function tests are usually normal. Anaplastic cancer accounts for only about 1% of all thyroid cancers and is a very rare disease.

Symptoms Return to top

Cough
Coughing up blood
Difficulty swallowing
Hoarseness or changing voice
Loud breathing
Lower neck mass, often noted to be enlarging

Exams and Tests Return to top

A physical examination may show a neck mass.

A CT scan or MRI may show a tumor growing from the thyroid gland.
A thyroid biopsy shows anaplastic carcinoma.
An examination of the airway with a fiberoptic scope (laryngoscopy) may show a paralyzed vocal cord.
An isotope study of the thyroid (thyroid scan) shows this mass to be "cold," meaning it does not absorb the isotope.

Treatment Return to top

This type of cancer is treated with surgery to remove the tumor, or radiation therapy, or both. Surgery may require placement of a tube in the throat to help breathing (tracheostomy).

This tumor does not respond to radioactive iodine, which is used to treat other types of thyroid cancer. It usually does not responsive to chemotherapy, either. For some patients, enrolling in a clinical trial of new thyroid cancer treatments may be an option.

Support Groups Return to top

The stress of illness can often be eased by joining a support group of people sharing common experiences and problems. See cancer - support group.

Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top

The prognosis of this disease is poor. Less than 5% of patients survive 5 years. Most people do not survive longer than 6 months.

Possible Complications Return to top

Spread of tumor within the neck
Metastasis (spread) of cancer to other body tissues or organs

When to Contact a Medical Professional Return to top

Call your health care provider if there is a persistent lump or mass in the neck, hoarseness, changing voice, cough, or coughing up blood.

Update Date: 3/21/2008

Updated by: Stephen Grund, MD, PhD, Chief of Hematology/Oncology and Director of the George Bray Cancer Center at New Britain General Hospital, New Britain, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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