An Update on Mechanisms and Treatments for Thyroid Cancer in Current Oncology

The incidence rate of thyroid cancer (TC) has risen sharply in recent decades on a global scale. It is the most common malignant tumor of the endocrine system, accounting for 4.1% of all new cancer cases worldwide, with age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) of 9.1 per 100,000 in 2022, establishing itself as a significant threat to population health. Although TC generally exhibits a better prognosis compared to other cancers, poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (including poorly differentiated TC,PDTC and anaplastic TC,ATC, two subtypes of TC) displays the shortest average survival time. The precise cause of TC's high incidence remains unclear, particularly the molecular mechanisms underlying its development. Consequently, the primary approaches for treating TC involve surgery, often supplemented by 131I therapy, radiotherapy, endocrine therapy, and biomarker-targeted therapy. Unfortunately, these treatments, except for targeted biological therapies, often result in irreversible harm to patients, such as thyroidectomy or radiation injuries. While targeted therapy can be expensive, and current TC biomarkers remain limited, their effects are still being explored. Additionally, aside from surgical resection, alternative treatment methods remain subject to ongoing controversy.