Follicular carcinoma, also called follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC), is a cancer of the thyroid gland. The functions of the thyroid--an endocrine gland located in the neck--include metabolism control and creation of proteins. FTC is easily diagnosed, characterized by a significant tumor raised from the surface of the thyroid gland. It is called follicular carcinoma due to its origin in follicular cells, the lining of the major structures found in the thyroid gland. FTC is a highly treatable disease, and several courses of treatment can be followed.
Surgery
The first step in treatment of FTC is surgical removal of the tumor. This immediately decreases the risk that cancerous cells will metastasize to other parts of the body. If the tumor is especially large--greater than 1 cm in diameter--your oncologist will likely recommend a complete thyroidectomy. This procedure describes the total removal of the thyroid gland, performed to ensure complete removal of potentially cancerous cells. To treat a smaller lesion, a partial thyroidectomy can be performed. This may involve removing one lobe of the thyroid gland. The gland is comprised of two halves, and removing one of the two lobes can be effective. One month after any surgical treatment, the patient must receive a course of radioiodine medication. This should eliminate any residual cancerous material in the thyroid.
Thyroid Replacement Therapy
Since thyroid surgery may cripple or completely remove the thyroid gland, the functions of the thyroid must be medically replaced. The patient takes a daily dose of thyroxine, also called L-T4, to substitute for the missing thyroid hormones. This treatment is life-long.
Follow-up
After your treatment, make regular appointments with your oncologist to check for recurrence. Although rare in FTC cases, the cancerous cells may lie dormant and resurface months or years after treatment.
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