Follicular Thyroid Cancer Overview

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Learn About Follicular Thyroid Cancer

View Main Condition: Thyroid Cancer

What is the definition of Follicular Thyroid Cancer?
Follicular thyroid cancer is a cancer that forms from the follicular cells of the thyroid and is the second most common type of thyroid cancer. It is more common in females. It usually affects people between the ages of 40 and 60 and can be an aggressive disease, as it characteristically invades blood vessels and spreads (metastasizes) to other parts of the body. A sub-type, Hurthle cell cancer, is a rare, more aggressive type of follicular thyroid cancer. While the exact cause is unclear, thyroid cancer develops when genetic mutations occur in thyroid cells that then reproduce rapidly, form a tumor, and spread to other areas, such as lung, bone, brain, liver, bladder, and skin.
What are the symptoms of Follicular Thyroid Cancer?
Since individuals with follicular thyroid cancer can have no symptoms, the cancer is usually found during routine examination with the discovery of a neck mass or nodule, or after having an X-ray of the neck for another reason, or during other medical and/or diagnostic treatments. However, for individuals who do experience symptoms of follicular thyroid cancer, these symptoms can include a large, malignant neck mass more than 4 cm, a fixed mass, soft tissue invasion, vocal cord paralysis, and difficulty swallowing.
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What are the current treatments for Follicular Thyroid Cancer?
Treatments for follicular thyroid cancer depend on the mass and include hemi-thyroidectomy (partial removal of thyroid) and removal of the thyroid isthmus, or total thyroidectomy and the removal of neck lymph nodes. After surgery, patients may be placed on thyroid hormone replacement and should have the usual cancer care follow-up. The overall cure rate for follicular thyroid cancer is nearly 95% for small tumors in young patients; however, this rate decreases with age. If follicular thyroid cancer is treated early, it has a good prognosis.
Who are the top Follicular Thyroid Cancer Local Doctors?
Elite in Follicular Thyroid Cancer
Dr. Ian S. Ganly
Otolaryngology
Elite in Follicular Thyroid Cancer
Dr. Ian S. Ganly
Otolaryngology

Mskcc Surgery Group

1133 York Ave, 
New York, NY 
646-888-7100
Languages Spoken:
English
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Ian Ganly is an Otolaryngologist in New York, New York. Dr. Ganly is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Follicular Thyroid Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Thyroid Cancer, Papillary Thyroid Cancer, Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma, Thyroidectomy, and Laryngectomy.

Elite in Follicular Thyroid Cancer
Dr. Mark E. Zafereo
Otolaryngology
Elite in Follicular Thyroid Cancer
Dr. Mark E. Zafereo
Otolaryngology

MD Anderson

2130 W Holcombe Blvd, Univ Of Tx M D Ande Life, 
Houston, TX 
713-592-5433
Languages Spoken:
English
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Offers Telehealth

Mark Zafereo is an Otolaryngologist in Houston, Texas. Dr. Zafereo is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Follicular Thyroid Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer, Thyroid Cancer, Papillary Thyroid Cancer, Thyroidectomy, and Laryngectomy.

 
 
 
 
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Elite in Follicular Thyroid Cancer
Dr. Robert Tuttle
Endocrinology
Elite in Follicular Thyroid Cancer
Dr. Robert Tuttle
Endocrinology

David H. Koch Center For Cancer Care At Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

530 E 74th St, 
New York, NY 
914-229-2914
Languages Spoken:
English
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Robert Tuttle is an Endocrinologist in New York, New York. Dr. Tuttle is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Follicular Thyroid Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Thyroid Cancer, Papillary Thyroid Cancer, Follicular Thyroid Cancer, Thyroidectomy, and Gastrostomy.

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What are the latest Follicular Thyroid Cancer Clinical Trials?
Factors Influencing Inadequacy in Rapid Onsite Evaluation of Ultrasound Guided Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) Samples of Thyroid Nodules
Factors Influencing Inadequacy in Rapid Onsite Evaluation of Ultrasound Guided Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) Samples of Thyroid Nodules
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: February 03, 2026
Intervention Type: Diagnostic test
Study Phase: Not Applicable

Summary: Thyroid nodules are a common clinical finding with a prevalence of around 50-67% in the general population using ultrasound examinations. Of these, malignancies account for 5-15% including the treatable papillary and follicular thyroid carcinomas and the rarer but more aggressive medullary and undifferentiated thyroid cancers. Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) is a relatively simple, cost-effective rec...

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Studies on Thyroid Nodules and Thyroid Cancer
Studies on Thyroid Nodules and Thyroid Cancer
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: January 16, 2026
Intervention Type: Drug

Summary: Participants in this study will be patients diagnosed with or suspected to have a thyroid nodule or thyroid cancer. The main purpose of this study is to further understand the methods for the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. Many of the test performed are in the context of standard medical care that is offered to all patients with thyroid nodules or thyroid cancer. Ot...

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