Editing Patient Pathways: Thyroid Cancer (section)

= Thyroid cancer =

Thyroid cancer is a malignant disease that affects the thyroid, a small gland located in the front of the neck which plays a key role in regulating metabolism.

In Croatia, the incidence of thyroid cancer is showing an increasing trend, with several hundred new cases diagnosed each year. This disease more commonly affects women than men, and is most commonly diagnosed in middle age. Due to the complexity of treatment and various therapeutic options, which include surgical procedures, radioactive iodine, and hormone therapy, patients with thyroid cancer are faced with numerous challenges. Therefore, it is necessary to provide comprehensive support measures that include medical care, psychological support and education in order to improve the quality of life of patients and facilitate coping with the disease. Although the incidence is on the rise, mortality rates have remained relatively stable.

Thyroid cancer is divided into four categories: papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic thyroid cancer. Differentiated thyroid cancer, which includes papillary and follicular cancer, accounts for more than 90% of all diagnoses. Standard treatments, such as thyroidectomy followed by radioiodine therapy, are relatively effective for these types of cancer. However, rare variants such as anaplastic thyroid carcinoma pose significant challenges due to their aggressive nature and limited treatment options.

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