Health Encyclopedia

Anaplastic thyroid cancer

Definition

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is an aggressive form of cancer of the thyroid gland.

Alternative Names

Anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Anaplastic thyroid cancer grows very rapidly and is an invasive type of thyroid cancer. It occurs most often in people over age 60. The cause is unknown. Thyroid function tests are usually normal. Anaplastic cancer accounts for only about 1% of all thyroid cancers and is a very rare disease.

Symptoms

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

Signs and tests

A physical examination may show a neck mass.

A CT scan or MRI may show a tumor growing from the thyroid gland.
A thyroid biopsy shows anaplastic carcinoma.
An examination of the airway with a fiberoptic scope (laryngoscopy) may show a paralyzed vocal cord
An isotope study of the thyroid (thyroid scan)shows this mass to be "cold," meaning it does not absorb the isotope.

Treatment

This type of cancer is treated with surgery to remove the tumor, or radiation therapy, or both. Surgery may require placement of a tube in the throat to help breathing (tracheostomy).

This tumor does not respond to radioactive iodine, which is used to treat other types of thyroid cancer. It usually does not responsive to chemotherapy, either. For some patients, enrolling in a clinical trial of new thyroid cancer treatments may be an option.

Support Groups

The stress of illness can often be eased by joining a support group of people sharing common experiences and problems. See cancer - support group.

Expectations (prognosis)

The prognosis of this disease is poor. Less than 5% of patients survive 5 years. Most people do not survive longer than 6 months.

Complications

Spread of tumor within the neck
Metastasis (spread) of cancer to other body tissues or organs

Calling your health care provider

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

Review Date:3/21/2008
Reviewed By:Stephen Grund, MD, PhD, Chief of Hematology/Oncology and Director of the George Bray Cancer Center at New Britain General Hospital, New Britain, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

ADAM Quality A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.