Anaplastic thyroid cancer (patient information)

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Anaplastic thyroid cancer

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Who is at highest risk?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Anaplastic thyroid cancer?

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Anaplastic thyroid cancer On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Anaplastic thyroid cancer

Videos on Anaplastic thyroid cancer

FDA on Anaplastic thyroid cancer

CDC on Anaplastic thyroid cancer

Anaplastic thyroid cancer in the news

Blogs on Anaplastic thyroid cancer

Directions to Hospitals Treating Anaplastic thyroid cancer

Risk calculators and risk factors for Anaplastic thyroid cancer

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sahar Memar Montazerin, M.D.[2]

Overview

Thyroid cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the thyroid gland. Signs of thyroid cancer include swelling or lump in the neck. Age, gender, and being exposed to radiation can affect the risk of thyroid cancer. Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

What are the symptoms of Anaplastic thyroid cancer?

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

What causes Anaplastic thyroid cancer?

  • Genetic mutation is suspected to be the main cause of anaplastic thyroid cancer.

Who is at highest risk?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

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

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Anaplastic thyroid cancer?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Anaplastic thyroid cancer

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

  • The prognosis of this disease is poor.
  • Most people do not survive longer than 6 months due to the aggressive nature of this disease and lack of effective treatment options.
  • The prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on the following:
  • The age at the time of diagnosis
  • The stage of the cancer
  • The patient's general health

Possible complications

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000352.htm

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