THYROID CANCER
Overview :
The thyroid gland is a part of the endocrine system. The endocrine system produces hormones that regulate the normal functions of the body. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the throat. It has a left and right lobe. The thyroid makes the hormone thyroxine, which helps the body to regulate metabolism,blood pressure,heart rate,body temperature,body weight.
Symptoms of thyroid cancer
Early thyroid cancer has no symptoms. You won’t be able to feel your thyroid gland if it’s healthy. As thyroid cancer progresses, the following symptoms may occur:
1
a lump in the throat
2
a cough
3
hoarseness
4
pain in the throat and neck
5
difficulty swallowing
6
swollen lymph nodes in the neck
Risk factors for thyroid cancer
Risk factors for thyroid cancer include:
1
having a family history of thyroid cancer
2
being a woman
3
having a history of breast cancer
4
having a history of radiation exposure
Age is also a risk factor. Thyroid cancer is most likely to occur after age 40.
Types of thyroid cancer and incidence
Thyroid cancers are classified according to the appearance of the cancerous cells. Cancerous cells that look like healthy cells are called well-differentiated cells. Well-differentiated cells grow at a slower rate than undifferentiated cells
A
Papillary thyroid cancer
B
Medullary thyroid cancer
C
Follicular thyroid cancer
D
Anaplastic thyroid cancer
E
Thyroid lymphoma
Diagnosing thyroid cancer
The results of a physical exam or laboratory test can reveal the presence of thyroid cancer. An examination of the neck may reveal a small or large mass in the thyroid. Lymph nodes may also be enlarged.
Lab tests and procedures used to diagnose thyroid cancer include:
- thyroid function test
- a thyroglobulin test, which is used for papillary or follicular cancers
- an ultrasound of the thyroid
- a radio iodine thyroid scan (done after surgery)
- a thyroid biopsy
- calcium level in the blood
- phosphorous level in the blood
- calcitonin level in the blood
Treatment of thyroid cancer
Treatment will depend on what type of cancer you have and if it’s metastasized, or spread.
Most people undergo surgical removal of all or part of the thyroid gland. This removes your body’s ability to produce normal thyroid hormones. Oral supplements can replace thyroid hormones.
Other treatments include:
- radioactive iodine
- external beam radiation therapy
- chemotherapy
Prevention:
The cause of thyroid cancer isn’t determined in most cases. This means that for most people there’s no known way to prevent it.
It is known that some thyroid cancer like medullary thyroid cancer is hereditary, those having family history required genetic counselling .People who live near nuclear power plants are more likely to develop thyroid cancer than people who don’t.
Keep up with your annual checkups, and let your doctor know if you’re having any new symptoms. Consult your doctor regarding long standing goitre (swelling in thyroid gland).make sure that food is enriched with iodinized salt specially those people who are leaving in iodine deficit region.