Thyroid cancer is a cell growth that starts in the papillary thyroid carcinoma. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that may be located towards the base of the neck, just under Adam’s apple. Blood pressure, heart rate, blood flow, body temperature, and hormones that affect these processes are all regulated by the thyroid.
Thyroid cancer may not immediately exhibit any symptoms. However, as it progresses, it could manifest symptoms including a thickened neck, altered voice, and difficulty swallowing.
Thyroid cancer comes in a variety of forms. Even while certain types may be quite aggressive, most breed slowly. The treatment of thyroid cancer is often successful.
Thyroid cancer appears to be becoming more common. The increase might be related to advancements in imaging technology, which allow doctors to find incidental thyroid tumors (small thyroid tumors) during CT and MRI scans done for other conditions. This method often identifies small, curable thyroid cancers.
Symptoms
The majority of thyroid malignancies are asymptomatic in the early stages of the disease. As thyroid cancer progresses, it may cause:
- A nodule (lump) that may be felt through the skin.
- The feeling that narrow shirt necks are getting too constricting
- Changes to your voice, such as hoarseness that becomes worse
- Difficulty swallowing
- Swelling lymph nodes in the neck
- Neck and throat discomfort
When should I see a doctor?
If you see any symptoms or indications that worry you, schedule a visit with your healthcare provider.
Causes
Thyroid cancer arises as a result of DNA changes in thyroid cells. A cell’s DNA contains the instructions that tell it what to do. The modifications, which scientists refer to as mutations, give the cells instructions to multiply and grow rapidly. Healthy cells survive after they would normally stop functioning. A tumor is a growth of cells that takes the form of a mass.
The tumor has the capacity to grow (metastasise) to the neck’s lymph nodes and to intrude on nearby tissue. Sometimes, cancer cells may spread from the neck to the lungs, bones, and other parts of the body.
The majority of thyroid cancer cases are caused by DNA abnormalities, however the exact etiology of these alterations is unknown.
Forms Of Thyroid Cancer
Different kinds of thyroid cancer are classed based on the cell types found in the tumor. To identify the kind of cancer, a sample of tissue from you is examined under a microscope. The kind of thyroid cancer you have will decide your course of treatment and prognosis.
The subsequent thyroid cancer subtypes include:
Thyroid cancer comes in several forms. This broad category includes several thyroid cancers that develop in the cells that produce and store thyroid hormones. These cells are known as follicular cells. Differentiated thyroid cancer cells resemble normal cells when seen under a microscope.
Papillary thyroid cancer. This kind of thyroid cancer is the most prevalent. Despite the fact that it may happen at any age, it most often affects people between the ages of 30 and 50. The majority of papillary thyroid carcinoma are small and efficiently treatable, even if the cancer cells have spread to the neck lymph nodes. A small proportion of aggressive papillary thyroid carcinoma may progress and spread to the body’s other organs or the tissues of the neck.
Follicular thyroid cancer. This unusual kind of thyroid cancer often affects people over the age of 50. Rarely do follicular thyroid cancer cells get to the lymph nodes in the neck. However, some large, aggressive tumors have the potential to migrate to other parts of the body. The lungs and bones are where follicular thyroid cancer spreads most often.
Hurthle cell-containing thyroid cancer. The term “follicular thyroid carcinoma” used to describe this rare kind of thyroid cancer. Cancer is now regarded as a unique kind since the cancer cells behave differently and respond to diverse medicines. Hurthle cell thyroid tumors may grow aggressively, invade other tissues in the neck, and spread to other parts of the body.
Non-differentiated. thyroid cancer. It is more aggressive than other kinds of differentiated thyroid cancer and often does not respond to conventional treatments.
Anaplastic cancer of the thyroid. This rare kind of thyroid cancer spreads quickly and may be difficult to treat. Treatments, however, could slow the progression of the illness. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is more common in those over the age of 60. It may cause severe symptoms, such as neck swelling that quickly becomes worse and makes breathing and swallowing difficult.
Thyroid cancer in the mediastinum. The thyroid’s C cells, which produce the hormone calcitonin, are where this unusual kind of thyroid cancer arises. Elevated blood calcitonin levels might be a precursor to medullary thyroid cancer. Certain medullary thyroid cancers are caused by a gene called RET that is passed down from parents to children. Changes in the RET gene may contribute to multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 2, and familial medullary thyroid cancer. Familial medullary thyroid carcinoma increases the chance of thyroid cancer. Type 2 multiple endocrine neoplasia increases the risk of thyroid cancer, adrenal gland cancer, and other malignancies.
Additional unusual types. Several additional extremely rare malignancies may start in the thyroid. Among these are thyroid lymphoma and thyroid sarcoma, the latter of which begins in the thyroid’s immune system cells and connective tissue cells, respectively.
Risk Factors
The risk factors listed below for thyroid carcinoma include:
Female sex. Thyroid cancer is more common in women than in men. According to experts, it can be related to the estrogen hormone. If a person is born feminine, their body often has more estrogen.
High amounts of radiation exposure. Radiation treatment for the head and neck increases the risk of thyroid cancer.
Certain hereditary conditions that run in families. Among the hereditary conditions that increase the risk of thyroid cancer include familial medullary thyroid cancer, multiple endocrine neoplasia, Cowden syndrome, and familial adenomatous polyposis. Two thyroid cancer subtypes that might sometimes run in families include medullary thyroid cancer and papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Complications
Returning thyroid cancer
Even if your thyroid has been removed, thyroid cancer may return even after a successful course of treatment. If malignant thyroid tissue spreads before being removed, this can happen.
The majority of thyroid cancers, including the two most common types, follicular and papillary thyroid carcinoma, are not expected to come back. Your doctor may let you know whether there is a greater likelihood that your cancer may return based on the characteristics of the disease.
Recurrence is more likely if your cancer is severe or spreads outside of your thyroid. Thyroid cancer recurrences are often found within the first five years following your initial diagnosis.
Even after recurrence, the prognosis for thyroid cancer is still positive. Given that it is often treatable, the majority of patients will have success.
Thyroid cancer might recur:
- Lymph nodes in the neck
- Pieces of thyroid tissue that were left behind during surgery
- More body components, such as the lungs and bones
Your doctor could suggest regular blood tests or thyroid scans to check for signs of a cancer return. During these sessions, your doctor could ask you about any signs of a thyroid cancer recurrence you may have had, such as:
- Neck pain
- Neck indentation
- Having trouble swallowing
- Vocal changes, such as hoarseness
Thyroid Cancer That Has Spread (Metastasized)
Thyroid cancer may sometimes spread to nearby lymph nodes or to other parts of the body. It’s possible to identify the cancer cells that spread during or after treatment. Most thyroid tumors never advance beyond their first stage.
Where does thyroid cancer often expand when it does?
- Lymph nodes in the neck
- Lungs
- Bones
- Brain
- Liver
- Skin
Imaging procedures like a CT scan and an MRI may detect thyroid cancer that has spread when you are initially diagnosed with it. After a successful course of treatment, your doctor may advise follow-up appointments to look for signs that your thyroid cancer has spread. Nuclear imaging scans, which use a specialized camera and a radioactive form of iodine to detect thyroid cancer cells, might be a part of these consultations.
Prevention
Since scientists don’t know what causes the gene abnormalities that lead to the majority of thyroid cancers, there is no way to prevent thyroid cancer in people who have an average risk of the disease.
For both adults and children who have a genetic gene that increases their risk of developing medullary thyroid cancer, prophylactic thyroidectomy is an option. Speak with a genetic counselor about your options for therapy so they can explain your risk for thyroid cancer.
People who live near nuclear power plants should take precautions.
Americans who live near nuclear power plants may sometimes be prescribe medication that shields the thyroid from the damaging effects of radiation. It is possible to use the medication (potassium iodide) in the unique scenario of a nuclear reactor disaster. Contact your state or local emergency management agency for further details on safety precautions if you live less than 10 miles from a nuclear power plant.