• National Cancer Institute
  • National Human Genome Research Institute

The Cancer Genome Atlas

Thyroid CarcinomaRSS

Last Updated: January 06, 2012

Sample Collection Complete Data Publicly Available
  Selected

What is thyroid cancer?

Thyroid cancer develops in the follicular cells of the thyroid. The thyroid gland is located at the front of the neck below the voice box. The thyroid gland secretes hormones that control heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and weight. It is estimated that approximately 45,000 Americans were diagnosed and about 1,700 died from thyroid cancer in 2010.1  Papillary thyroid carcinoma, the type being studied by TCGA, is the most common type of thyroid cancer, accounting for 80 percent of all cases.  It is diagnosed most commonly in patients who are around the age of 49 and it is more common in women.1 Thyroid cancer grows very slowly and if it is diagnosed early, this cancer can be cured. View additional information about thyroid cancer.

What types of discoveries about thyroid carcinoma do The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) researchers hope to make?

  • Identify unique patterns of genomic changes that characterize the different types of papillary thyroid carcinoma tumors
  • Determine differences in patterns of genomic changes between less and more advanced papillary thyroid cancer

Where can I find more information about the TCGA Research Network’s studies or studies using TCGA data?

View a list of TCGA scientific publications.

Where can I find clinical trials to treat thyroid cancer that are supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI)?

View a list of NCI-supported thyroid cancer clinical trials that are now accepting patients.
 

Selected References

1American Cancer Society: Cancer Facts and Figures 2010. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society, 2010.