Thyroid cancer
The thyroid is a gland that produces important hormones for the body. Located at the base of the throat, it has a right and a left lobe; one lobe falls on either side of the windpipe (trachea). Thyroid hormones control heart rate, body temperature, the amount of blood calcium and metabolism, or how quickly food is changed into energy. People with an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) experience an increase in these effects, and people with underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) experience decreased effects.
There are four main cancer types that can form in the thyroid gland: papillary, the most common type; and follicular, medullar and anaplastic.
The UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is a regional treatment center for adults and children with endocrine tumors. Thyroid cancer cases are discussed among a panel of experts from different disciplines to ensure that patients are provided with the best possible treatment options. It also offers patients access to a large number of pediatric and adult clinical trials of investigational treatments.