Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer is a malignancy originating from the thyroid parenchymal cells. There are four main types of thyroid cancer, each differing in aggressiveness: papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic. Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common type, accounting for the majority of cases.

The thyroid parenchyma comprises two major cell types: thyroid follicular cells, which give rise to differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), and parafollicular or C-cells, which give rise to medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).

Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) includes:

• Papillary Thyroid Cancer (PTC): The most common form, typically with a good prognosis.
• Follicular Thyroid Cancer (FTC): Less common than PTC, but also generally associated with a favorable prognosis.
• Hurthle Cell Cancer: A variant of FTC, known for its distinctive cellular appearance.

Together, these forms account for 90-95% of all thyroid malignancies. Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) arises from parafollicular cells and represents around 1-2% of thyroid cancers. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is the rarest and most aggressive type, comprising less than 1% of all thyroid cancers.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid malignancy, characterized by its distinct epithelial features and follicular cell differentiation. Over the past few decades, the incidence of PTC has markedly...