Thyroid cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck, just below the Adam’s apple. The thyroid gland produces hormones that help to regulate metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature.
Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer, and the tenth most common cancer overall, in the United States. It is more common in women than in men and typically occurs in people between the ages of 30 and 50. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be over 64,000 new cases of thyroid cancer diagnosed in the US in 2023.
The prevalence of thyroid cancer has been increasing in recent decades. This is likely due to several factors, including the increased use of imaging tests, such as ultrasounds and CT scans, which can detect small thyroid nodules. Most thyroid nodules are benign (not cancerous), but a small percentage are malignant.
Thyroid cancer is typically diagnosed through a combination of physical examination, imaging tests, and fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy. FNA biopsy is a minimally invasive procedure in which a thin needle is inserted into the thyroid gland to extract a sample of cells. The cells are then examined under a microscope for signs of cancer.
The most common type of thyroid cancer is papillary thyroid carcinoma. Papillary thyroid carcinoma is typically slow-growing and has a good prognosis. However, other types of thyroid cancer are more aggressive and have a poorer prognosis.
Treatment for thyroid cancer typically involves surgery to remove the thyroid gland. In some cases, radioactive iodine therapy may also be used to kill any remaining cancer cells.
The prognosis for thyroid cancer is generally good, with a 5-year survival rate of over 98% for papillary thyroid carcinoma. However, the prognosis for more aggressive types of thyroid cancer is poorer.
Early detection of thyroid cancer is important, as it leads to better outcomes. If you have any of the following symptoms, please see your doctor:
- A lump or swelling in your neck
- Pain in your neck or throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Hoarseness
- Unexplained weight loss
If you are diagnosed with thyroid cancer, your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is right for you.
The Athendia Thyrogenes test is a multiplex PCR-based assay that can detect mutations in five oncogenes associated with thyroid cancer: TERT, RET, P53, KRAS, BRAF, AKT, and NRAS. It is compatible with FFPE, FNA, and fresh frozen samples, and it produces results in under 3 hours.
The Athendia Thyrogenes kit can help prevent unnecessary surgeries by detecting molecular markers associated with malignant thyroid tumors. This can be especially helpful for patients with indeterminate cytology specimens.
Athendia Ltd. is a high-tech company that is focused on developing chemical, biochemical, and molecular diagnostic products for endocrine oncology, especially thyroid cancer. Athendia Thyrogenes has a growing commercial portfolio, and many of its products are used to guide and monitor targeted therapies for various endocrine malignancies.
- Athendia Ltd 270 George Street N, Third Floor, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, K9J 3H1 Phone: +1 705 7617904