Thyroid cancer

An overview of Providence Health Care's services and resources for patients with thyroid cancer.

Overview

Thyroid cancer is when cancer cells grow in your thyroid gland. 

Your thyroid gland sits at the front of your neck below your Adam’s apple. It makes the thyroid hormone to help your body use energy and stay warm. The hormone also affects your brain, heart, and muscles.

Most people with thyroid cancer do not have symptoms. Sometimes, they may feel like they have a lump in their throat, or they may have a visible lump on their neck. 

When thyroid cancer spreads, they can get a raspy voice. They may also have difficulty breathing and swallowing.  

The main types of thyroid cancer are: 

  • Papillary carcinoma is the most common type of thyroid cancer. It grows slowly and can often be treated. 
  • Follicular carcinoma starts in the cells that make thyroid hormones (follicular cells). It grows slowly and can often be treated. 
  • Medullary carcinoma starts in the cells that make a hormone called calcitonin. It can often be treated. 
  • Anaplastic carcinoma is rare. It is difficult to treat because it grows quickly and spreads quickly. 
  • Hurthle cell carcinoma is rare and difficult to treat.

Diagnosis & testing

Visit BC Cancer’s website to learn more about how we diagnose and treat thyroid cancer.

Treatment & management

Clinics that treat thyroid cancer

Support services

Providence Health Care offers a variety of services to support those we care for. The following services may be of use or benefit to you and your families.

Support for Indigenous Peoples

The Indigenous Wellness Liaison Team is here to support your health journey. Team members offer cultural support and healthcare advocacy. Learn more below or call them at 604-682-2344,62937 or email IWL@providencehealth.bc.ca.

  • Indigenous wellness services

    The Indigenous Wellness Team at Providence is available to support Indigenous patients and their families. We are here to coordinate culturally safe wellness supports and services.

Education & resources

Patient education

Useful resources

Clinical trials & research

Advances in treatments for thyroid cancer are all thanks to medical research. While participating in research is a decision you should make in consultation with your care team, there is much activity in this field. Please ask us about our research programs if you’re interested.

By taking part in research, you can help us all learn more about heart disease. You can also help us find better ways to help people like you live and thrive. Even if you don't benefit directly, your participation can help care for future patients.

The following clinical trials are currently enrolling volunteers. Please ask your care team for more information. You can also contact the research team listed on each study or trial. For other information about research at Providence Health Care, please visit Providence Research.

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