The thyroid is a small, butterfly shaped gland located at the front of the neck. The thyroid produces the thyroid hormones, including the two major ones, namely the tri-iodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), which are essential for regulating the metabolic activities, growth, and several other body functions.
Thyroid cancer develops as a result of the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the thyroid gland, resulting in a tumor. Some of these tumors are benign or non cancerous while some are malignant or cancerous. The malignant tumors spread to the nearby tissues and other parts of the body causing severe complications. Since the thyroid gland is close to the skin, tumors often appear as lumps called thyroid nodules in the neck. Thyroid cancer is more widespread among women than men; however, the reason for this is not clear. About 20,000 cases of thyroid cancer are reported each year in the United States.
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