Understanding thyroid cancer Specialist breast and endocrine surgeon, Dr Francois Malherbe, tells us more about the types of thyroid cancer and how they are treated. Function of the thyroid The thyroid is a gland in the neck with the main function of producing hormones integral to cell metabolism. Pathology of the thyroid gland can broadly be divided into two groups: disorders of thyroid function (hormone production) and disorders of thyroid form (gland enlargement, nodules and thyroid cancer).  Hormone abnormalities are mostly treated by medical endocrinologists while thyroid enlargement, thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer are managed by surgeons.  Increase in diagnosis Thyroid nodules are…