What is thyroid squamous cell carcinoma?

Feb 18, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

During a physical examination, thyroid problems were detected, and further tests diagnosed it as thyroid squamous cell carcinoma. I don't know much about this disease and would like to understand what it is, how serious it is, and what treatment options are available?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Qi Zhirong

Squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid is a rare malignant disease that originates from the squamous epithelial cells of the thyroid gland.

This type of cancer usually develops within the thyroid capsule and may be associated with long-term chronic inflammation, radiation injury, or other irritating factors. The clinical presentation of squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid is similar to other types of thyroid cancer, such as neck mass and hoarseness, but it grows rapidly, has a high degree of malignancy, and tends to invade surrounding tissues and metastasize to distant sites.

Compared with other types of thyroid cancer, this disease is rarer and more commonly seen in individuals over 50 years of age, with women being more susceptible than men. Treatment options for squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid include surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. The specific treatment plan should be formulated according to the severity of the disease and the patient's overall health status.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid is a serious condition that requires early detection and treatment. Due to its rarity and high malignancy, the prognosis is poor, necessitating close follow-up and multidisciplinary team collaboration in its management.