What is Papillary Thyroid Cancer?
A papilla is a nipple-like projection. Papillary cancers have multiple projections giving them a fern or frond-like appearance under the microscope. In addition the nuclei (central portion of the cells) are changed compared to normal thyroid cell nuclei. Tiny, microscopic areas of papillary cancer can be found in up to 10% of “normal” thyroid glands, when thyroid tissue is carefully examined with a microscope. The more carefully a pathologist looks for these tiny cancers, the more commonly they are found. These microscopic cancers seem to have no clinical importance and are more a curiosity than a disease. In other words, there does not seem to be a tendency for these small cancer-like growths to enlarge and become more serious malignant tumors. On the other hand, when papillary cancer grows large enough to form a lump in the thyroid gland, we consider it clinically important, for it is likely to continue to enlarge and may spread elsewhere in the body. Papillary tumors make up about 7
Related Questions
- What is the optimal initial treatment of low-risk papillary thyroid cancer (and why is it controversial)?
- What is the optimal initial treatment of low-risk papillary thyroid cancer (and why is it controversial)?
- Is pancreatic resection justified for metastasis of papillary thyroid cancer?
- Is pancreatic resection justified for metastasis of papillary thyroid cancer?
- Is tumor size the best predictor of outcome for papillary thyroid cancer?
- Is tumor size the best predictor of outcome for papillary thyroid cancer?
