Papillary and follicular thyroid cancers are the most common types of thyroid cancer. Papillary cancer often presents as a small occult tumor and spreads via lymphatics, while follicular cancer presents as a growing nodule and spreads hematogenously to the skull. Diagnosis involves ultrasound, biopsy, and scans. Treatment consists of surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid followed by radioactive iodine and thyroid hormone therapy. Medullary cancer does not take up iodine and surgery is the main treatment. Anaplastic cancer is very aggressive and usually fatal within 6 months.