Thyroid cancer is a cancer of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a two-lobe, butterfly-shaped organ located behind the adam's apple in the front of the neck. The two-lobes, referred to as the left and right lobes, are joined together by the isthmus. Even though this organ cannot be felt by hand, it has a critical role that it plays within the body. The thyroid manages the body's hormones and helps balance the metabolism, body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate. This cancer develops due to disturbing behavior changes within the cells. The cells rapidly multiply and accumulate to create a tumor. Early detection is vital when fighting this type of cancer.
There are a variety of thyroid cancers, including:
- Differentiated: Papillary, follicular, and Hurthle cell. These cells are what produces hormones within the body. Doctors usually group these cancers called differentiated thyroid cancer.
- Papillary: the most common. Can happen at any age
- Follicular: Common among ages 50 and older
- Hurthle Cell: Rare and malevolent form of cancer
- Medullary: It starts in the C cells of the thyroid that produce the hormone calcitonin. Calcitonin regulates and reduces calcium within the bloodstream. When a high amount of the C cell is found, thyroid cancer may be prominent.
- Anaplastic: A sporadic form of thyroid cancer that may be prevalent among the elderly. It is an aggressive form of cancer that does not have a positive treatment rate.
Symptoms:
Early symptoms may cause undetected damage; however, as the thyroid cancer multiplies, pain and swelling are often the first symptoms. Other symptoms include:
- Lumps that can be felt by rubbing the neck
- Hoarseness in your voice
- Swallowing difficulties
- Pain and stiffness of the neck and throat
If you are having any of these symptoms, please contact your health care provider right away.
What are the risks?
Age and Gender: Women or more likely to develop thyroid cancer over men, especially earlier in life. However, this cancer usually establishes itself in men much later in life and is more intense.
- Genetics: A person is most likely to develop this cancer if their mother, brother, sister, or child has the illness. It is classified as familial medullary thyroid cancer. Although it is rare, this type of thyroid cancer may be caused by mutated genes and, if inherited, will present itself in patients in their 40's.
- Radiation Exposure: High levels of radiation treatment on the neck or head can cause thyroid cancer.
- Iodine deficiency: Iodine is an essential mineral needed for regulating the thyroid hormones. Not enough iodine in a person's diet can lead to certain thyroid cancers.
Treatments:
Early detection is vital to curing thyroid cancer. Depending on the person's severity, specific therapies are conducted. If a patient's disease is debilitating, surgery will be offered to remove as much of cancer as possible, or complete removal of the thyroid is suggested.
Other treatments include:
- Radioactive Iodine therapies
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted therapies
- Surgery
If you or someone you know are having any of these signs or symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.
