Anaplastic thyroid cancer overview
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Differentiating Anaplastic thyroid cancer from other Diseases |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ammu Susheela, M.D. [2]
Overview
Historical Perspective
In 1811, the first thyroid cancer case was reported. Thyroid cancer was first described by William Stewart Halsted, an American surgeon in the late nineteenth century.
Pathophysiology
Anaplastic thyroid cancer arises from cells of thyroid, which are secretory cells that are normally involved in production and secretion of thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) and is always considered as stage IV. Genes involved in the pathogenesis of follicular thyroid cancer include P53 and BRAF.
Causes
- Genetic mutation is suspected to be the main cause of anaplastic thyroid cancer.
Differential Diagnosis
Anaplastic thyroid cancer must be differentiated from other diseases that cause neck masses such as goiter, Grave's disease, Hurthle cell carcinoma, follicular thyroid cancer, papillary thyroid carcinoma, follicular adenoma, sarcoma, and medullary thyroid carcinoma.[1]
Epidemiology and Demographics
Females are more commonly affected with follicular thyroid cancer than males. The incidence of follicular thyroid cancer increases with age; the median age at diagnosis is 6th to 7th decades.
Risk Factors
Common risk factors in the development of anaplastic thyroid cancer are iodine deficiency, family history of thyroid cancer, and radiation exposure.
Natural history, Complications and Prognosis
Depending on the extent of the tumor at the time of diagnosis, the prognosis of anaplastic thyroid cancer may vary. However, the prognosis is generally regarded as poor. The presence of metastasis is associated with a particularly poor prognosis among patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer.
Staging
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Chest x-ray
CT
MRI
Echocardiography or Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Biopsy
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Prevention
Effective measures for the prevention of anaplastic thyroid cancer include avoidance of diets low in iodine and avoidance of ultraviolet exposure.
Reference
- ↑ Thyroid Cancer Cancer.gov (2015). http://www.cancer.gov/types/thyroid/hp/thyroid-treatment-pdq#section/_6- Accessed on October, 29 2015