The thyroid gland is located at the base of the neck and resembles a butterfly in shape. This gland is responsible for controlling metabolism and releases hormones responsible for key bodily functions such as metabolism, producing heat, and consuming oxygen. Thyroid cancer develops due to the mutation of ordinary thyroid cells. These abnormal cells then start to multiply inside the gland and result in a tumor.

It is important to know the types of thyroid cancer and how these can develop to be able to treat them better. Fortunately for the patient, this cancer is one of the treatable ones and when caught early, a complete recovery is possible. The tumor may be of two types, one which is formed from follicular cells and one from C cells. Follicular cells produce the thyroid hormone. This hormone is needed for survival as it controls your body’s basic metabolism. It decides how fast calories get burned, and this automatically affects weight gain and loss, raises or lowers body temperatures, accelerates or slows down heart rates. The C cells are special cells that produce calcitonin, a hormone for calcium metabolism. Tumors may be benign or cancerous; the latter type is malignant and can spread to other body parts. Benign tumors may grow, but do not move to other parts.

Some treatment methods for thyroid cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation, and the use of radioactive ions. However, these treatments would depend on the type of cancer it is, and the stage it is at. Given below is an overview of thyroid cancer and its types:

1. Papillary thyroid cancer

This is one of the types of thyroid cancer that develops from follicular cells and grows slowly. It is perhaps the most common type and is found in a single lobe. Also called differentiated thyroid cancer, the tumor appears like a normal thyroid tissue when examined under a microscope. This cancer type may spread to the lymph nodes.

2. Follicular thyroid cancer

This develops from follicular cells and grows at a slow pace. While it is also a differentiated thyroid cancer, it is less common than the papillary thyroid type. It rarely spreads to the lymph nodes. Both these types of thyroid cancer are usually curable, particularly when the person affected is below 50 years. They are also the two most commonly occurring thyroid cancers and account for 95% of all cases.

3. Hurthle cell cancer

Also called Hurthle cell carcinoma, this cancer grows inside specific types of follicular cells. This type is more likely to metastasize to lymph nodes.

4. Medullary thyroid cancer

This grows inside C cells and may occur due to a genetic condition called MEN2 or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type-2. The tumor here has no similarity to normal thyroid tissues and can be controlled if diagnosed and treated before spreading to other body parts.

5. Anaplastic thyroid cancer

This is rare and only makes up for about 1% of cases. But, it grows very fast and may originate in a benign tumor or differentiated thyroid cancer. Since it grows aggressively, treating it is harder.