Thyroid Cancer: An Overview

One job of the thyroid is to help regulate the body's metabolism by producing hormones from specialized cells (papillary cells and C cells). Thyroid cancer can develop in several different forms, each of which requires a different type of treatment, depending on the cells affected.
Thyroid cancer is both one of the most common and highly curable forms of cancer. According to The National Cancer Institutes, cases of cancer of thyroid glands grew by 6 percent from 1995 to 2006. Fortunately, 97 percent of those diagnosed with thyroid cancer live at least 5 years after their diagnosis.
Thyroid cancer affects more women than men, and it is commonly found in young adults.

Forms of Thyroid Cancer

The four forms of thyroid cancer are characterized by malignant tumors that affect different cells in the thyroid.
  • Anaplastic carcinoma: An aggressive and hard-to-treat form of thyroid cancer, anaplastic carcinoma is quite rare, accounting for fewer than 2 percent of thyroid cancer cases.
  • Follicular carcinoma: Accounting for less than 15 percent of thyroid cancer cases, follicular carcinoma is most common in populations with low-iodine diets. A slow-growing cancer, follicular carcinoma is highly treatable when detected early.
  • Medullary thyroid carcinoma: Accounting for about 4 percent of thyroid cancers, medullary thyroid carcinoma arises in C cells and doesn't respond to radioactive iodine, which makes it harder to treat and detect than other forms of the disease.
  • Papillary carcinoma: This slow-growing type of thyroid cancer, which begins in the thyroid's follicular cells, accounts for 80 percent of thyroid cancer cases. It can often be successfully treated.

Thyroid Cancer Symptoms

While changes in energy levels, weight and body temperature are often considered symptoms of thyroid issues, they are not generally cancer symptoms. The most common thyroid cancer symptoms, and the ones responsible for most early detection and treatment, are bumps or nodules in the front of the neck.
Speak to your healthcare provider if you notice any of the following symptoms; thyroid cancer is often highly treatable if detected early. Symptoms of thyroid cancer include:
  • An enlarged thyroid
  • Hoarseness
  • Neck pain
  • Swelling, bumps or nodules in the neck
  • Swollen lymph nodes.

Thyroid Cancer Risk Factors

The risk factors for thyroid cancer include:
  • Age (thyroid cancer is most common in those from age 20 to 60)
  • Exposure to radiation
  • Gender (according to the American Cancer Society, thyroid cancer is 3 times more common in women than in men)
  • Family history
  • Iodine deficiency.

Thyroid Cancer Treatment

The optimal treatment
for each patient will depend on the extent, location and stage of the cancerous cells, as well as the age and general health of the individual. Thyroid cancer is generally treated with a combination of therapies, including:
  • Chemotherapy
  • Hormone therapy
  • Radiation
  • Radioactive
  • Iodine Surgery.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Gastrointestinal Defects

Birth defects, also known as "congenital abnormalities," are structural defects in some part or system of the body that can affect the body's function. These congenital defects occur during fetal development, and are present in a baby from birth. Like other complex body systems, the gastrointestinal system (or digestive system), responsible for digestion and extracting nutrients from food, is vulnerable to congenital defects during its development. Healthy Gastrointestinal Tract Function The gastrointestinal system is made up of several organs, including the: Mouth Esophagus Stomach Small intestine: Duodenum, jejunum and ileum Large intestine: Cecum, colon, rectum and anus. In healthy people, food enters the mouth, and is chewed and swallowed, passing through the esophagus to the stomach. The stomach breaks down the food, then passes it into the intestines, where it is digested further, and particles from the food can be absorbed. Waste is stored in the r
Keep reading

Hypersomnia: An Overview

Hypersomnia is a sleep disorder that is characterized by sleeping too much, experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness or a combination of the two. Hypersomnia is not the same as feeling tired due to poor quality sleep or not getting enough sleep. Often, people with hypersomnia fall asleep suddenly throughout the day, a symptom the condition shares with narcolepsy. Symptoms of Hypersomnia Symptoms of hypersomnia often develop in adolescence or early adulthood. People with hypersomnia may sleep for up to 12 hours at a time, but still wake up feeling tired. Individuals may struggle to wake up after deep sleep and seem disoriented and confused. Hypersomnia often develops gradually, making it difficult for people to realize they are sleeping too much. Signs associated with hypersomnia include: Anxiety Headaches Irritation Loss of appetite Low energy levels Memory problems "Nap attacks" during the day Restlessness Sleeping too much Slow speech Slow thought proce
Keep reading

Irritable Bowel Disease Syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a very common disorder that affects the functioning of the bowel. Although the severity of the condition (also occasionally called  spastic colon ) can vary considerably from one patient to another, typical characteristics include changes in bowel habits ranging from diarrhea to constipation, cramp-like pains, bloating and a feeling of "gassiness." For some sufferers, IBS is little more than a minor inconvenience; for others it can be totally disabling. In extreme cases, the patient is unable to travel, function in the workplace or enjoy socializing. Common Misconceptions Irritable bowel syndrome is not . . . an imaginary disease.  IBS has biological causes and biological symptoms and is certainly not a condition that is "all in your mind. " caused by other diseases  such as gallstones or ulcers. an infection , although it can sometimes be triggered by a bout of gastroenteritis or similar digestive system disorders. hereditary . a precursor to c
Keep reading