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Thyroid Cancer

Definition of thyroid cancer: Cancer that forms in the thyroid gland (an organ at the base of the throat that makes hormones that help control heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and weight). Four main types of thyroid cancer are papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic thyroid cancer. The four types are based on how the cancer cells look under a microscope. 

Estimated new cases and deaths from thyroid cancer in the United States in 2013:

  • New cases: 60,220
  • Deaths: 1,850

See the online booklet What You Need To Know About™ Thyroid Cancer to learn about thyroid cancer types, diagnosis, treatment, and questions to ask the doctor.

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