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.
An isotope study of the thyroid (thyroid scan) shows this mass to be "cold", meaning it does not absorb the isotope.
A CT scan or MRI may show a tumor growing from the thyroid gland.
An examination of the airway with a fiberoptic scope (laryngoscopy) may show a paralyzed vocal cord.
Review Date: 5/26/2006
Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided byVeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Endocrinology, Endocrine System Cancer
