For Patients

Risk Factors for Thyroid Cancer

The exact cause of many cases of thyroid cancer is unknown, but certain factors increase the risk of the disease, including:

  • Age: Papillary and follicular thyroid cancer are more common in adulthood. Sporadic medullary thyroid cancer usually occurs in adults, while familial medullary cancer either is an isolated condition or is found in association with other endocrine tumors (multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes), generally occur in childhood or adolescence. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma usually occurs in individuals over the age of 60. are more common in adulthood.
  • Gender: Women are two to three times more likely to develop thyroid cancer than men.
  • Family history: Approximately five percent of patients with papillary thyroid cancer have a parent or sibling with thyroid cancer and usually have a familial form of the disease. The familial forms of medullary thyroid cancer are usually transmitted in a dominant fashion and therefore if an individual has a parent with one of these syndromes they have a 50 percent chance of having the genetic mutation that causes these diseases. There are several inherited conditions that are associated with well-differentiated thyroid cancer including papillary or follicular cancers: Gardner's syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis, Cowden's disease, and the Carney complex. If you or a family member have or have had any of these conditions, please contact our Medical Genetics Institute.
  • Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
  • History of radiation to head or neck
  • Difficulty swallowing or speaking

When to Seek Medical Advice

You should seek prompt medical attention if you experience a lump in your neck near your Adam's apple, hoarseness or trouble swallowing or breathing. Although other conditions cause these symptoms, it is best to have a physician examine you.

Support Groups

The closest support group to Cedars-Sinai for thyroid cancer is the Thyroid Cancer Survivors Association.

Services for Patients and Visitors

For information about hotels, restaurants and attractions near Cedars-Sinai, as well as information about parking and directions, please click here.