Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Also known as: papillary thyroid cancer, PTC

What is papillary thyroid carcinoma?

Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common form of thyroid cancer and makes up around 80% of total thyroid cancer cases. It forms in the cells of the thyroid gland, a small organ located at the front of the neck.

What causes papillary thyroid carcinoma?

Like most forms of cancer, papillary thyroid carcinoma develops due to changes in a cell’s DNA. What specifically causes these changes to occur isn’t clear. Certain genetic conditions or previous radiation therapy can increase your risk of developing the disease.

What are the symptoms of papillary thyroid carcinoma?

Papillary thyroid carcinoma usually doesn’t cause any symptoms other than a painless lump in the thyroid gland in the front of the neck. Occasionally, pain around the neck or head or difficulty breathing or swallowing may be symptoms.

How can papillary thyroid carcinoma affect children?

Papillary thyroid carcinoma is also the most common form of thyroid cancer in children. When it occurs in kids, it develops most often during their teenage years.

What are papillary thyroid carcinoma treatments?

Surgery to remove the tumor or the entire thyroid gland is the most common treatment for papillary thyroid carcinoma. If the entire thyroid gland is removed, the patient will need to take thyroid hormone replacement medication afterward. Other treatments for papillary thyroid carcinoma include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and radioiodine therapy.

Reviewed by: Maggie Fader, MD

This page was last updated on: November 03, 2023 12:41 PM