US Medical Term · conditions
Thyroid Cancer
Cáncer de tiroides
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Thyroid Cancer |
| Spanish (Español) | Cáncer de tiroides |
| Chinese (中文) | 甲狀腺癌 |
| Korean (한국어) | 갑상선암 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Ung thư tuyến giáp |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Kanser sa thyroid |
| Portuguese (Português) | Câncer de tireoide |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | มะเร็งต่อมไทรอยด์ |
| Japanese (日本語) | 甲状腺がん |
What it means
Thyroid cancer is a malignant tumor of the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that regulates metabolism and hormone production. It is one of the most common cancers in the US, and most types have excellent survival rates. The most common symptom is a painless lump in the neck. Risk factors include radiation exposure and family history. Most thyroid cancers grow slowly. Treatment usually involves surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid gland, often followed by radioactive iodine therapy and thyroid hormone replacement medication.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My doctor felt a lump in my neck during a physical exam and wants to test for thyroid cancer.
Mi médico palpó un nódulo en mi cuello durante un examen físico y quiere descartar cáncer de tiroides.
After thyroid surgery for cancer, will I need to take medication for life?
Después de la cirugía de tiroides por cáncer, ¿necesitaré tomar medicamento de por vida?
What does radioactive iodine treatment involve for thyroid cancer?
¿En qué consiste el tratamiento con yodo radiactivo para el cáncer de tiroides?
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
C73 Malignant neoplasm of thyroid glandRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026