"Risks for disease aggressiveness and co-morbidities are important management considerations when treating thyroid cancer among the elderly," says Dr. Steven I. Sherman of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. "Curative surgery is not feasible in ten percent of patients over age 75 due to co-morbidities. Typically, these patients may have higher rates of asthma, emphysema, renal failure, arrhythmias and other serious conditions."

Treating thyroid cancer during pregnancy

According to Dr. Sherman, experts disagree on many aspects of treating thyroid cancer during pregnancy. There is 'a consensus of nonconsensus.' Data show that thyroid cancer is the second most likely (behind breast cancer) cancer diagnosed during pregnancy and that diagnoses for pregnant women are more likely to occur during the third to sixth month of pregnancy.

The American Thyroid Association is the world's leading professional association of medical specialists dedicated to education and research to improve thyroid disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment; improving thyroid patient care; and educating the public about thyroid health and diseases.

Source: American Thyroid Association