Other

Liver

Please see our researcher profiles below for more information on research in this area.

Thyroid

Thyroid cancer is very different from other cancers. It has been estimated that as much as 6 percent of the world’s population has a thyroid cancer, making it one of the commonest cancers in the world. However, most thyroid cancers remain undiagnosed throughout life and most people never know they have one. Some rarer types of thyroid cancer are inherited, but most arise spontaneously.  Overall the commonest type of thyroid cancer, papillary carcinoma, has mortality of between 1 and 3%, but a recurrence rate of 30%.  

Why is it an interesting cancer to study? Rates of thyroid cancer have been rising due to the more extensive use of ultrasound to the neck. It is therefore becoming important to identify clinically or using molecular biology, which patients should be treated and how. The molecular phenotype of young onset disease is different from thyroid cancers arising in older patients, and thyroid cancer is known to be one of the consequences of exposure to radiation following nuclear accidents.  

Our main research focus is currently whether the molecular phenotype of thyroid cancer can be linked to radiation exposure and whether the cancer’s molecular biology can be used to tailor treatment.