Thyroid cancer: Papillary cell of the thyroid

• What is Papillary Cell of the Thyroid
• Statistics on Papillary Cell of the Thyroid
• Risk Factors for Papillary Cell of the Thyroid
• Progression of Papillary Cell of the Thyroid
• Symptoms of Papillary Cell of the Thyroid
• Clinical Examination of Papillary Cell of the Thyroid
• How is Papillary Cell of the Thyroid Diagnosed?
• Prognosis of Papillary Cell of the Thyroid
• How is Papillary Cell of the Thyroid Treated?

What is Papillary Cell of the Thyroid

Thyroid cancers may be of the Papillary Cell type and usually arise from the follicular cells of the thyroid and is likely to be a slow growing tumour. 40% of thyroid tumours are of this type.

The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck at the base. This acts as the body’s carburettor and accelerator determining how quickly we burn our fuel.

It regulates body metabolism and energy. The follicular cells make thyroid hormone responsible for the above, and C cells located between the thyroid follicles make calcitonin (which regulate calcium).

Statistics on Papillary Cell of the Thyroid

It is relatively uncommon and occurs at any age with sex incidence being more common in females (Three times more common).

Geographically, the tumour is found worldwide but is more common in caucasians. Higher incidences are found in Japan and in some of the Pacific Islands as a result of nuclear weapons.

Risk Factors for Papillary Cell of the Thyroid

Exposure to radiation such as from previous radiotherapy treatment, radiation from nuclear weapons and multiple x-ray exposure increases the risk.

Iodine deficiency and long standing goitre (swelling of the thyroid gland) may be risk factors.

Progression of Papillary Cell of the Thyroid

This type of tumour spreads by local spread into surrounding tissue such as the trachea and muscles of the neck. Lymphatic spread to regional lymph nodes may occur, especially in the neck. Blood-borne spread can disseminate this tumour to the bones, liver and lung.

How is Papillary Cell of the Thyroid Diagnosed?

General investigations may show under active or over active thyroid tests but they will usually be normal.

Prognosis of Papillary Cell of the Thyroid

Early thyroid cancers can be associated with a good cure rate with a greater than 90% in the 5 to 10 year survival period.

How is Papillary Cell of the Thyroid Treated?

Surgery is usually curative. In cases where the tumour has spread, radioactive iodine may produce a good long term remission.

• Radio iodine (I131).
• Depression with thyroxine.
• External beam radiotherapy.

Improvement in symptoms is an important measurement. Specific monitoring may be by measurement of serum TBG. If metastases were present prior to treatment with radio iodine, then imaging may be used to assess response.

The symptoms that may require attention are somatic pain in metastatic disease.
Stridor from invasion of the trachea may require specific treatment such as laser bronchoscopy.