Thyroid cancer and parathyroid cancer are distinct endocrine gland malignancies in the neck with contrasting physiological impacts, hormone secretions, and treatment approaches.
Hormones Secreted & Regulation
Thyroid Hormones: T3 & T4 (follicle cells regulate metabolic rate), Calcitonin (C-cells lower blood calcium). TSH pituitary regulation.
Parathyroid Hormone: PTH (chief cells raise blood calcium by bone release & kidney reabsorption).
Thyroid Cancer: Types & Treatments
• Papillary Thyroid Cancer (~80%): Slow-growing, excellent prognosis (>98% 5-yr survival).
• Follicular Thyroid Cancer (~10%): Linked to low iodine, blood-borne metastasis.
• Medullary Thyroid Cancer (MTC <5%): Calcitonin C-cell origin, MEN2 genetic link.
• Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer (<1%): Extremely aggressive and rapidly invasive.
Symptoms: Painless neck lump, hoarseness, dysphagia, neck pain, swollen nodes.
Treatment: Total Thyroidectomy, Radioactive Iodine (RAI I-131), lifelong levothyroxine hormone replacement.
Parathyroid Cancer & Severe Hypercalcemia
Parathyroid Carcinoma is an extremely rare malignancy (<100 cases/yr US) causing severe PTH overproduction.
Symptoms: Severe Hypercalcemia (>14 mg/dL), extreme fatigue, bone pain/fractures, kidney stones, polyuria/thirst, nausea, neck lump.
Treatment: En bloc surgical resection removing parathyroid gland & adjacent tissue. Chemotherapy and radiation are ineffective.