Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Patient Information Leaflet
Dr. Mohammad Asaduzzaman Rasel | ENT, Head & Neck Surgeon
What is Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma?
Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the commonest thyroid cancer, accounting for about 80–85% of all thyroid cancers. It usually grows slowly and has an excellent cure rate when diagnosed early.
Risk Factors
- Previous radiation exposure
- Family history of thyroid cancer
- Certain inherited syndromes
- Female sex
- Age 20–55 years
Symptoms
- Painless lump in the front of the neck
- Enlarged neck lymph nodes
- Hoarseness of voice
- Difficulty swallowing
- Rarely breathing difficulty
Diagnosis
- Clinical examination
- Neck ultrasound
- Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC)
- Blood tests (TSH and thyroid function)
- CT/MRI when indicated
- Flexible laryngoscopy before surgery if needed
Treatment
Surgery
- Hemithyroidectomy for selected small cancers
- Total thyroidectomy for larger or multifocal cancers
- Neck dissection when lymph nodes are involved
Additional Treatment
- Radioactive iodine for selected patients
- Lifelong thyroid hormone after total thyroidectomy
Recovery
- Hospital stay: 3-4 days
- Return to light activity: about 2 week
- Return to work: 2–3 weeks
- Excellent long-term prognosis in most patients
Seek urgent medical attention if you develop neck swelling, breathing difficulty, fever, wound discharge, or persistent tingling after surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it curable?
Yes. Papillary thyroid carcinoma has one of the highest cure rates of all cancers.
Will I need chemotherapy?
No. Chemotherapy is not routinely used.
Will I need lifelong medicine?
After total thyroidectomy, lifelong thyroid hormone replacement is required.
Can it come back?
Recurrence is uncommon but regular follow-up is important.
Need an Appointment?
If you have a thyroid lump or have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, consult an ENT & Head–Neck Surgeon.
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