Tumours of the thyroid gland

Abstract

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy and is increasing in frequency, representing 1% of all malignancies. Histological subtypes of thyroid cancer—papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic behave differently and require different approaches to treatment. Multidisciplinary decision-making may lead to the offer of a range of treatments including hemithyroidectomy, total thyroidectomy, radioiodine remnant ablation, and neck dissection. Staging systems that permit evidence-based application of these therapeutic modalities are discussed.