Thyroid Cancer—April 22, 1997

Thyroid Cancer—April 22, 1997

The male-to-female ratio is 1:3, with middle-aged women being the most common. There are papillary thyroid carcinoma, follicular thyroid carcinoma, and medullary thyroid carcinoma. Papillary thyroid carcinoma accounts for 60%, has a better prognosis, develops slowly, and only metastasizes to nearby lymph nodes; follicular thyroid carcinoma is undifferentiated and can spread to the lungs via the bloodstream, developing rapidly and having a poorer prognosis; medullary thyroid carcinoma has a relatively better prognosis. Both papillary and medullary thyroid carcinomas can be treated surgically. Given the high proliferation of thyroid cells, it is advisable to use thyroxine to inhibit the growth of thyroid-stimulating hormone, usually taking 100U of oral thyroxine three times a day; T3(triiodothyronine) 20U three times a day; thyroid tablets 100mg three times a day, taken orally. Chemotherapy commonly uses ADM and DDP.