Learn About Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer of the thyroid gland.
Anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid
Anaplastic thyroid cancer is an invasive type of thyroid cancer that grows very rapidly. It occurs most often in people over age 60. It is more common in females than in males. The cause is unknown.
Anaplastic cancer accounts for only about less than 1% of all thyroid cancers in the United States.
Symptoms include:
- Cough
- Coughing up blood
- Difficulty swallowing
- Hoarseness or changing voice
- Loud breathing
- Lower neck lump, which often grows quickly
- Pain
- Vocal cord paralysis
- Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
This type of cancer cannot be cured by surgery. Complete removal of the thyroid gland does not prolong the lives of people who have this type of cancer.
Surgery combined with radiation therapy and chemotherapy may have a significant benefit.
Surgery to place a tube in the throat to help with breathing (tracheostomy) or in the stomach to help with eating (gastrostomy) may be needed during treatment.
For some people, enrolling in a clinical trial of new thyroid cancer treatments based on the genetic changes in the tumor may be an option.
Pediatrics
University of Texas System
Physicians Referral Service
Steven Waguespack is an Endocrinologist and a Pediatrics doctor in Houston, Texas. Dr. Waguespack has been practicing medicine for over 28 years and is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. He is also highly rated in 26 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Thyroid Cancer, Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma, Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer, and Papillary Thyroid Cancer. He is licensed to treat patients in Texas. Dr. Waguespack is currently accepting new patients.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Ian Ganly is an Otolaryngologist in New York, New York. Dr. Ganly has been practicing medicine for over 33 years and is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. He is also highly rated in 34 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Thyroid Cancer, Tongue Cancer, Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer, and Salivary Gland Tumors. He is licensed to treat patients in New York. Dr. Ganly is currently accepting new patients.
General Surgery
University of Texas System
Physicians Referral Service
Mark Zafereo is an Otolaryngologist and a General Surgeon in Houston, Texas. Dr. Zafereo has been practicing medicine for over 17 years and is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. He is also highly rated in 22 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Thyroid Cancer, Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer, Papillary Thyroid Cancer, and Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma. He is licensed to treat patients in Texas. Dr. Zafereo is currently accepting new patients.
You can often ease the stress of illness by joining a support group of people sharing common experiences and problems.
The outlook with this disease is poor. Most people do not survive longer than 6 months because the disease is aggressive and there is a lack of effective treatment options.
Complications may include:
- Spread of tumor within the neck
- Metastasis (spread) of cancer to other body tissues or organs
Call your health care provider if you notice:
- A persistent lump or mass in the neck
- Hoarseness or changes in your voice
- Cough or coughing up blood
Published Date : January 21, 2020
Published By : Robert Hurd, MD, Professor of Endocrinology and Health Care Ethics, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Iyer PC, Dadu R, Ferrarotto R, et al. Real-world experience with targeted therapy for the treatment of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Thyroid. 2018; 28(1):79-87. PMID: 29161986 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29161986/.
Jonklaas J, Cooper DS. Thyroid. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 213.
National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research website. Anaplastic thyroid cancer. www.cancer.gov/pediatric-adult-rare-tumor/rare-tumors/rare-endocrine-tumor/anaplastic-thyroid-cancer. Updated February 27, 2019. Accessed February 1, 2020.
Smallridge RC, Ain KB, Asa SL, et al. American Thyroid Association guidelines for management of patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer. Thyroid. 2012;22(11):1104-1139. PMID: 23130564 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23130564/.
Smith PW, Hanks LR, Salomone LJ, Hanks JB. Thyroid. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2017:chap 36.