Follicular lesions of the thyroid gland describes an abnormal change in structure of tissues within the gland itself. In this case, it refers to the possible development of follicular cancer of the thyroid.
Identification
Follicular cancer is the second-most prevalent of the four main types of thyroid carcinoma. It comprises approximately 25% of all thyroid malignancies and is typically more aggressive than the most common papillary thyroid cancer.
Significance
"Follicular thyroid cancer is most often discovered as a painless lump in the thyroid, usually occurs after the age of 40, and occurs more often in women than in men," says The New York Thyroid Center of Columbia University. With treatment, follicular thyroid cancer generally has a 10-year success cure rate of approximately 40%.
Prognosis
The mortality rate of this cancer is tied to age (those over 40 years of age are more at risk) and the degree to which is has spread (metastacized) to other areas of the body.
Treatment
According to the College of American Pathologists, "Follicular thyroid cancer may be treated with surgery, external radiation therapy, thyroid hormone treatment, radioactive iodine therapy, or chemotherapy."
Considerations
Total surgical removal of the thyroid (thyroidectomy) will require lifelong thyroid hormone replacement medication.
Tags: thyroid cancer, Follicular thyroid cancer, thyroid hormone
