The big C-word can be scary for anyone, but knowing more about the body helps empower you with knowledge, so you can make smart decisions about your health. How you approach treatment is up to you. First, make sure you know what you’re dealing with. Today I’m going to share some important things to know about thyroid cancer.
WHAT’S THE THYROID?
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits below your the laryngeal prominence, known as the “Adam’s apple” in men. Large lobes of the gland rest on either side of the trachea with a small portion connecting the two crossing the middle. Your thyroid is a part of your endocrine system, which is your hormone system.
The thyroid takes up iodine from your food and turns it into thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones have a direct impact on the basal metabolic rate. It affects things like body temperature, weight gain, heart rate, growth, and brain development. Calcitonin is the third hormone produced in the thyroid gland, which is part of calcium and bone metabolism.
SYMPTOMS OF THYROID CANCER
All cancers are groups of cells that have undergone genetic mutations and multiply rapidly. It’s still unclear what causes thyroid cancer. You might be alerted to seek a physician if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- An unusual lump that can be felt through the skin on either side of the neck
- Changes in your voice like hoarseness or difficulty speaking
- Pain or tenderness in your neck or throat surrounding the thyroid area
- Troubles with swallowing
- Swollen lymph nodes not associated with other illness
TYPES OF THYROID CANCER
There are several types of thyroid cancer, and some are more common than others.
Papillary Thyroid Cancer
This is the most common form of thyroid cancer and can remain asymptomatic for a period of time. The cancer arises from with the cells that within the thyroid that produce the hormones. This type occurs most often for those between the ages of 30 and 50. And it’s more common in women than men.
Follicular Thyroid Cancer
Follicular thyroid cancer starts in the follicular cells of the thyroid. It’s considered a more aggressive form of thyroid cancer compared to papillary thyroid cancer. It is more common in those over the age of 50.
Medullary Thyroid Cancer
This is most often discovered by a lump and remains asymptomatic with no signs of hypo- or hyperthyroidism. It starts in the C cells where calcitonin is produced. Blood tests can be done to detect these elevated levels of calcitonin as an early indicator.
Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer and Thyroid Lymphoma
These are two rare forms of thyroid cancer. Both occur in older adults. Each one expands rapidly and is difficult to treat.
THYROID CANCER TREATMENT
The common types of thyroid cancers are curable through various treatments like surgery with the removal of the thyroid, either partial or total, or removal of surrounding lymph nodes.
Surgery is the most common form of treatment. It’s usually then followed with hormone therapy to replaced lost hormones as well as radioactive iodine treatment to remove any remaining cancer.
Other common thyroid cancer treatment options include chemotherapy and radiation.
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