The following stages are used for papillary cancers of the thyroid:
Stage I papillary
Cancer is only in the thyroid and may be found in one or both lobes.
Stage II papillary
In patients younger than 45 years of age:
Cancer has spread beyond the thyroid.
In patients older than 45 years of age:
Cancer is only in the thyroid and larger than 1 centimeter (about 1/2 inch).
Stage III papillary
Cancer is found in patients older than 45 years of age and has spread outside the thyroid (but not outside of the neck) or has spread to the lymph nodes.
Stage IV papillary
Cancer is found in patients older than 45 years of age and has spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs and bones.
The following stages are used for follicular cancers of the thyroid:
Stage I follicular
Cancer is only in the thyroid and may be found in one or both lobes.
Stage II follicular
In patients younger than 45 years of age:
Cancer has spread beyond the thyroid.
In patients older than 45 years of age:
Cancer is only in the thyroid and larger than 1 centimeter (about 1/2 inch).
Stage III follicular
Cancer is found in patients older than 45 years of age and has spread outside the thyroid (but not outside of the neck) or to the lymph nodes.
Stage IV follicular
Cancer is found in patients older than 45 years of age and has spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs and bones.
Other types or stages of thyroid cancer include the following:
Stage I medullary
Cancer is less than 1 centimeter (about 1/2 inch) in size.
Stage II medullary
Cancer is between 1 and 4 centimeters (about 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches) in size.
Stage III medullary
Cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.
Stage IV medullary
Cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Anaplastic
There is no staging system for anaplastic cancer of the thyroid. This type of cancer of the thyroid grows faster than the other types.
Recurrent
Recurrent disease means that the cancer has come back (recurred) after it has been treated. It may come back in the thyroid or in another part of the body.
