Where does medullary thyroid cancer metastasis?

The typical sites of metastasis of medullary thyroid cancer are the regional lymph nodes, which are frequently involved at the time of diagnosis. Upper and anterior mediastinal lymph nodes are also in the pathway of tumour spread. Sites of distant metastases are typically lung, liver and bone.

Does thyroid cancer metastasize liver?

Liver metastasis from differentiated thyroid cancer are quite rare, with a reported frequency of 0.5% [3], [13]. Even more unusual are isolated resectable liver metastases from papillary thyroid cancer.

What is the survival rate for medullary thyroid cancer?

The 5- and 10-year survival for medullary carcinomas is 65–89% and 71–87%, respectively (5). Average survival for MTC is lower than that for more common thyroid cancers, e.g., 83% 5-year survival for MTC compared to 90–94% 5-year survival for papillary and follicular thyroid cancer (6).

What is the survival rate of metastatic thyroid cancer?

If there is distant spread to other parts of the body, it is called metastatic disease. The 5-year survival rate for metastatic papillary thyroid cancer is 75%. For metastatic follicular thyroid cancer, the rate is 63%. The rate for metastatic medullary thyroid cancer is 40%.

How serious is medullary thyroid cancer?

Undiagnosed medullary thyroid cancer can spread into other neck tissues and eventually reach the liver, lungs, bone, and brain. Once it reaches distant parts of the body it’s unlikely to be cured.

What is metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma?

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a neuroendocrine tumor that is derived from C cells of the thyroid gland. It is a rare aggressive tumor, known to metastasize to lymph nodes, liver, bones, and lungs. A 41-year-old female, who presented with a breast mass, was initially diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma.

What is anaplastic thyroid cancer?

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, also known as undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma, is a rare, highly aggressive malignant tumor accounting for 2 to 3 percent of all thyroid gland neoplasms. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma continues to be one of the most deadly diseases worldwide and carries a very poor prognosis.

Where does thyroid cancer metastasize first?

In 10 (38.5%) patients distant metastasis beyond the regional lymph nodes was the first sign of thyroid cancer. In (50%) patients metastasis was located in the bones, in 2 (20%) in the lung, in 1 (10%) in the heart, in 1 (10%) in the buttock, and in 1 (10%) in a central neck cyst.

What is end stage thyroid cancer?

Stage IV thyroid cancer is cancer that has spread from your thyroid gland to other parts of your neck, lymph nodes, or distant areas of your body like your lungs or bones.

How long can a person live with Stage 4 thyroid cancer?

Stage 4: In this stage, the tumor has spread into neck tissues under the skin, the trachea, esophagus, the larynx, or distant parts of the body such as the lungs or bones. The 10-year outlook significantly declines at this point: Only 21 percent of people diagnosed at this stage are alive after 10 years.

What is the difference between thyroid cancer and medullary thyroid cancer?

The two more common types of thyroid cancer, papillary and follicular cancer, develop from the thyroid cells that make thyroid hormone. Medullary thyroid cancer develops from “parafollicular C” cells that produce and release calcitonin, a hormone that regulates calcium.