• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Thyroid
  • Parathyroid
  • Procedures
  • Articles
  • News
  • Contact
    • Bella Vista – Surgeons
    • Burwood – Endocrinologists
    • Macquarie University Clinic – Surgeons
    • Randwick – Endocrinologists
    • Randwick – Surgeon
    • Sydney West – Surgeon

Thyroid Clinic Sydney

Thyroid and Parathyroid Specialist

Home > Thyroid Cancer > Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

anaplastic-thyroid-cancer-2

Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

Anaplastic thyroid cancer, also called undifferentiated thyroid cancer, is relatively rare – less than 5% of all thyroid cancers. Anaplastic thyroid cancer is more common in older people (with an average age of about 60) and is more common in women than in men. This cancer has a very low cure rate with the very best treatments – only 10% of patients are alive 3 years after it is diagnosed.

Diagnosis

  • Unlike other types of thyroid cancer, the symptoms of anaplastic thyroid cancer are usually noticeable right away
  • Most patients initially complain of difficulty breathing, either shortness of breath or noisy breathing, as well as changes in their voice, usually hoarseness
  • These changes are the result of the rapidly growing cancer pressing on the windpipe and invading the nerves that control the voice
  • Additionally, most patients notice a large and rapidly growing mass in the front of their neck
  • The diagnosis is confirmed by biopsy with imaging to determine the extent of disease

Treatment

  • The major problem with anaplastic thyroid cancer is that it is usually too aggressive and invasive when it is diagnosed
  • Only a small fraction of patients can undergo surgical removal of the cancer in hopes of curing it
  • Many patients, especially those who have advanced cancer and cannot undergo surgical resection, will benefit from external beam radiation therapy
  • Some chemotherapy treatments may also be beneficial to patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer.
  • For those patients who are diagnosed at an earlier stage, or for patients who respond well to chemoradiation, a total thyroidectomy may be beneficial

If you have any questions about thyroid symptoms or thyroid surgery, you should speak to your local doctor, who will arrange to contact your thyroid surgeon.

Primary Sidebar

Contact Us

Endocrinologists

Dr Sophie Chan
Dr Marwan Obaid
Dr Angela Sheu
Dr Eddy Tabet
Dr Tang Wong
 

Surgeons

Dr Michael Barakate
Dr Carsten Palme
Dr Faruque Riffat
Dr Mark Smith
 

Dietitian

Ms Juhi Bhambhaney

About The Thyroid Gland

the-thyroid

Parathyroid Health

hypoparathyroidism-causes-and-treatment

Hypoparathyroidism – Its Causes and Treatments

October 24, 2016 By @ThyroidClinic

what-are-parathyroid-glands

What Are the Parathyroid Glands?

October 20, 2016 By @ThyroidClinic

how-is-your-parathyroid-gland

How is Your Parathyroid Gland

June 8, 2015 By @ThyroidClinic

Search

Translate

Subscribe to our Newsletter

ENT Clinic

  • Articles
  • Ear Nose Throat
  • ENT Wellbeing
  • Skincare

Footer

About Our Doctors

Contact Us

Categories

  • Parathyroid Disorders
  • Parathyroid Surgery
  • Thyroid Cancer
  • Thyroid Disorders
  • Thyroid Gland
  • Thyroid Surgery

Recent Posts

  • Eddy Tabet
  • Sophie Chan
  • Juhi Bhambhaney
  • Michael Barakate
  • Tang Wong
  • Angela Sheu
  • Marwan Obaid
  • Faruque Riffat

Clinic Locations

  • Bella Vista – Surgeons
  • Burwood – Endocrinologists
  • Macquarie University Hospital – Surgeons
  • Randwick – Endocrinologists
  • Randwick – Surgeon
  • Sydney West – Surgeon

Stay Connected

Blog · Disclaimer · Privacy Policy · Copyright © 2018 · Thyroid Clinic Sydney · @ThyroidClinic
   
thyroid-clinic-sydney