Anaplastic thyroid cancer

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Thyroid cancer - CT scan Thyroid gland

Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Anaplastic thyroid cancer

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 is not responsive to radioactive iodine, which is used to treat other types of thyroid cancer. It is also usually not responsive to chemotherapy.

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

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

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

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

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