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THYROID CANCER
Thyroid cancer is a neoplasm or tumor of the thyroid gland, which is a butterfly-shaped organ located below the Adam's Apple, at the base of the throat that makes hormones which helps to control heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and weight. Patients between the age group 25 to 65 are more prone to thyroid cancer,it affects women two to three times more than men. Due to its higher survival rates which is approximately 95%, it is primarily referred as a "good cancer". It requires treatment and lifelong monitoring,Thyroid cancer is becoming more common in the past several years, with a growth rate of 3% per 100,000 people each year
TYPES OF THYROID CANCER:
Thyroid cancer (malignant neoplasms) are mainly of 4 types:
Papillary Thyroid cancer, Follicular Thyroid cancer, Medullary Thyroid cancer, and Anaplastic Thyroid cancer.
- Approx 75% of Thyroid Cancers are Papillary Thyroid cancer and Papillary/follicular Thyroid cancer.
- Approx 15% are Follicular Thyroid cancer and Hurthle cell
- Approx 7% are Medullary Thyroid cancer
- Approx 3% are Anaplastic Thyroid cancer
Papillary Thyroid cancer is the most common form of thyroid cancer,easily treated by thyroid surgery. Patient requires radioactive iodine treatment after thyroid surgery. It is most commonly diagnosed in women aged between 20 and 60 years.Death rate- 0.1% , Rate of recurrence- 5%.
Follicular Thyroid Cancer:
Follicular thyroid cancer begins in follicular cells and grows slowly. Follicular thyroid cancer occurs oftenly in countries where people lack iodine in their diet. Follicular thyroid cancer can be treated successfully if diagonised early.Its treatment is similar to papillary thyroid cancer.
Medullary Thyroid Cancer:
Medullary thyroid cancer is much less common and often runs in families which seems to have a genetic basis.It occurs in specific cells, C cells of the thyroid that abnormally secretes high levels of calcitonin. Medullary thyroid cancer tends to grow slowly and can be controlled and treated easily before it spreads to other parts of the body
Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer:
Anaplastic thyroid cancer is the most rare and dangerous form of thyroid cancer which begins in the follicular cells of the thyroid. It readily spreads to other organs. Patients do not survive more than six months after their diagnosis. Though it is hard to control Anaplastic thyroid cancer but radiation and chemotherapy can be used
THYROID CANCER SYMPTOMS:
A nodule in the thyroid region of the neck
- An enlarged lymph node
- Pain in the anterior region of the neck,jaw or ear
- Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism may be associated with a large or metastatic well-differentiated tumor
- Problems with swallowing or tickle in the throat
- Breathing difficulty
- Changes in voice (Hoarseness).
- Persistent or chronic cough not due to allergies or illness
- Asymmetry in the thyroid
- Some particularly aggressive thyroid tumors can go to the brain and cause neurological symptoms.
THYROID CANCER DIAGNOSIS:
Biopsy of a thyroid nodule is done in order to diagonise thyroid cancer,after which the nodule is removed by surgery.If a Thyroid nodule is found during a physical examination, you may consult an endocrinologist, a thyroidologist or otolaryngologist.Ultrasound is performed most commonly to confirm the presence of a nodule.Presence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis can be detected by measuring the level of thyroid stimulating hormones and thyroid antibodies.
THYROID CANCER TREATMENT AND THYROID SURGERY:
- HEREDITRY -risk of skin cancer is more if it runs in the family because they carry abnormal genes.
- Radioactive Iodine-131 is used in patients with papillary or follicular thyroid cancer
- External irradiation may be used when the cancer is unresectable, when it recurs after resection, or to relieve pain from bone metastasis.