What is Thyroid Cancer?
Thyroid cancer, as the term reveals itself, is a cancerous disease that develops in the thyroid gland, a tiny gland of butterfly shape located at the front of the neck just below the voice box. Although it is relatively uncommon compared to many other cancers, the number of diagnosed cases has been steadily increasing worldwide. Fortunately, thyroid cancer is often highly treatable, especially when detected early.
The thyroid gland is one of the vital components of the human body's endocrine system. The gland secretes vital hormones that regulate metabolic activities, heart rate, body temperature, digestion, and energy levels. When abnormal cells start to proliferate and grow uncontrollably in the thyroid gland, they can form a malignant tumor known as thyroid cancer.
In most cases, thyroid cancer develops slowly and may not show any symptoms until the cancer has progressed. However, as the cancer develops, it may alter the appearance of the neck area or touch structures such as the lymph nodes, the windpipe, or the voice box. Advances in the diagnostic procedures and treatment of thyroid cancer have improved the prognosis for cancer patients.
What are the types of Thyroid Cancer?
Thyroid cancer is categorized by the type of cells in which it begins. Each type of such condition behaves differently and may require a specific treatment approach.
Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Papillary carcinoma is one of the most frequently diagnosed types of thyroid cancers, which comprises close to 80 percent of all cases of the disease. The cancer originates in follicular cells that produce thyroid hormones. Typically, papillary carcinoma develops slowly but metastasizes into lymph nodes located in the neck area.
Follicular Thyroid Cancer
Follicular thyroid cancer is considered the second most common type and accounts for about 10–15% of thyroid cancers. It also arises from follicular cells. Unlike papillary cancer, follicular thyroid cancer tends to protract or spread through the bloodstream to distant organs such as the lungs or bones.
Medullary Thyroid Cancer
Medullary thyroid cancer develops from parafollicular cells (C cells), which produce the hormone calcitonin. This type of cancer may emerge/occur sporadically or as part of a hereditary/genetic condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN). Genetic/hereditary testing may be recommended for patients and family members.
Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
Anaplastic thyroid cancer can be introduced as a rare but very aggressive form of thyroid cancer. It grows rapidly and can spread quickly to nearby tissues and distant organs. This type usually occurs in older adults and requires intensive treatment.
Hurthle Cell Thyroid Cancer
Hurthle cell carcinoma is an unusual/rare subtype of follicular thyroid cancer. It can sometimes behave more aggressively and may spread to lymph nodes or other organs.
What are the Symptoms & Causes of Thyrod Cancer?
Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer
In many cases, thyroid cancer does not produce symptoms in its early stages. often, a thyroid nodule is discovered during a routine medical examination or during an imaging test performed for another reason.
As the tumor grows, symptoms may begin to appear. These symptoms may include:
- A lump with no pain or swelling in the neck
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
- Persistent hoarseness or voice changes
- Difficulty swallowing
- Pain in the neck or throat
- Difficulty breathing
- Persistent cough not associated with a cold.
It is very important to note that most thyroid nodules are benign and not cancerous. However, any persistent lump in the neck should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
Causes of Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer arises from genetic mutations in thyroid cells. The change causes the cells to divide and grow continuously, then die normally. This leads to tumor formation.
The exact cause of these mutations has not yet been tracked, but several risk factors may be responsible for enhancing the chances of developing thyroid cancer.
What are the Risk Factors For Thyroid Cancer?
Exposure to Radiation
Radiation exposure, especially during childhood, is one of the major risk factors for thyroid cancer. This may occur through radiation therapy for other conditions or environmental exposure.
Genetic Disorders & Family History
There are some genetic disorders that can raise your risk of developing thyroid cancer. Medullary thyroid cancer is one such example of this condition that runs in families carrying a mutation in the RET gene.
Sex & Age
Thyroid cancer mostly afflicts people in their thirties to sixties and is found to be three times more common among women than men.
Iodine Imbalance
Both low iodine intake and excessive iodine exposure can affect thyroid health and may influence cancer risk.
History of Thyroid Disease
People with long-standing thyroid conditions, such as goiter or thyroid nodules, may have a slightly increased risk of thyroid cancer.
How is Thyroid Cancer Diagnose & Test?
Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial to successful thyroid cancer treatment. Doctors use several diagnostic methods to determine whether a thyroid nodule is cancerous.
Physical Examination
During the physical check-up, the healthcare providers look for abnormalities of the neck, such as lumps, swelling, or enlarged lymph nodes. In addition, they may want to know whether the patient has any symptoms, such as changes in the voice or difficulty swallowing.
Blood Tests
Hormone levels are measured by blood testing, as are other chemicals such as thyroid-stimulating hormone and calcitonin. Blood tests do not help in diagnosing thyroid cancer, despite being very useful.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound imaging is commonly used to evaluate thyroid nodules uses sound waves to produce detailed images of the thyroid gland and helps determine the size, structure, and characteristics of nodules.
Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) Biopsy
Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) is the most reliable method for diagnosing thyroid cancer, in which a slim/thin needle is inserted into the thyroid nodule to obtain a small amount of cells, which are then lab-tested under a microscope by a pathologist.
Radioactive Iodine Scan
The radioactive iodine scan is performed to assess any thyroid nodules. This is because thyroid cells tend to take up iodine; therefore, this scan will help identify abnormal thyroid tissue.
CT Scan or MRI
These are imaging tests that may be used if doctors suspect that cancer has spread beyond the thyroid gland.
Genetic Testing
What are the Stages of Thyroid Cancer?
Staging describes the extent of cancer spread within the body. It helps doctors determine the best treatment strategy and estimate prognosis.
The stages of thyroid cancer generally include:
- Stage I - Under this stage, the cancer is limited to the thyroid gland and has not spread.
- Stage II - The tumor may be larger, but it remains limited to the thyroid.
- Stage III - Cancer in this category spreads to nearby lymph nodes or surrounding tissues.
- Stage IV - Cancer has spread to distant organs of the body, such as the lungs, bones, or liver.
Age also plays a role in staging thyroid cancer because outcomes are generally better in younger patients.
What Treatment Procedures Treat Thyroid Cancer?
The treatment for thyroid cancer depends on different factors, which may include the type of thyroid cancer, the stage of the disease, the patient's age, and their general health condition.
Thyroid Surgery
Surgery is the most common and effective treatment for thyroid cancer.
The different types of thyroid surgery are as follows:
Thyroid Lobectomy
This is the removal of one lobe of the thyroid gland. This form of surgery is recommended in cases of small and localized thyroid cancers.
Total Thyroidectomy
This is the removal of the entire thyroid gland. This form of surgery is recommended in cases of thyroid cancers that have affected both lobes of the gland and in cases of high risk of recurrence.
Lymph Node Removal
If cancer is found to have spread to the lymph nodes of the neck, surgeons may remove these lymph nodes during surgery.
After surgery, patients usually require lifelong thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
Radioactive Iodine Treatment
Radioactive iodine treatment is usually administered following surgery to eliminate any residual thyroid tissue or microscopic cancer cells. Thyroid cells have an affinity for iodine; therefore, radioactive iodine selectively targets thyroid cancer cells.
Thyroid Hormone Treatment
People who have their thyroid removed must take synthetic thyroid hormones. This treatment prevents the body from naturally producing hormones and stops the growth of any remaining cancer cells.
External Beam Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy may be used when surgery is not possible or when cancer has spread locally and cannot be completely removed.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapies are newer treatments that focus on specific genetic mutations in cancer cells. These medications may be used for advanced thyroid cancers that do not work or respond to common treatments.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is rarely used for most thyroid cancers, but may be considered for aggressive cancers such as anaplastic thyroid cancer.
Active Surveillance
For very small thyroid cancers that appear low-risk, doctors may recommend careful monitoring rather than immediate treatment.
What are the long-term Complications of Thyroid Cancer Treatment?
While thyroid cancer treatment is generally successful, certain complications may occur.
Possible complications include:
- Damage/destruction to the vocal cords leading to hoarseness
- Low calcium levels due to injury to nearby parathyroid glands
- Recurrence of cancer
- Spread of cancer to other organs
- Lifelong dependence on thyroid hormone replacement therapy
Regular follow-up visits help detect complications or recurrence early.
What is the survival prognosis for Thyroid Cancer ?
The overall prognosis for thyroid cancer is very favorable compared with many other cancers.
Papillary and follicular thyroid cancers have highly favorable survival rates, especially when diagnosed early. Even in cases where the thyroid cancer is found to have already extended/spread to the lymph nodes surrounding the thyroid gland, the results of the treatment are highly favorable.
The medullary cancer of the thyroid gland has an average prognosis for survival, varying according to stages and genetics. The anaplastic cancer of the thyroid gland has a poor prognosis because of its aggressiveness.
After the treatment, the patients have to undergo long-term monitoring that includes:
- Blood tests
- Ultrasound examinations
- Radioactive iodine scans
- Imaging studies
Many people with thyroid cancer live long, healthy lives after successful treatment.
Can Thyroid Cancer be prevented ?
Although the prevention of thyroid cancer is not possible, a few steps may reduce the risk of getting the disease.
These include:
- Avoiding unnecessary exposure to radiation
- Taking adequate iodine
- Seeking advice from a medical professional on thyroid nodules
- Getting genetic counseling for individuals belonging to families suffering from thyroid cancer syndromes
- Undergoing routine medical examinations by those who have thyroid disorders
Early detection remains one of the most important factors in improving survival rates.
Why choose Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Thyroid Cancer Treatment in Lucknow, India?
Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital offers advanced Thyroid Cancer treatment in Lucknow, India, at an affordable cost. We have a team of experienced endocrine surgeons and oncology specialists who provide accurate diagnosis and both non-surgical and surgical treatment options including thyroidectomy, radioactive iodine therapy, and targeted therapy. Our Endocrine Surgery and Oncology team has decades of experience in successfully treating Thyroid Cancer in Lucknow, India.
To seek an Expert consultation for Thyroid Cancer Treatment in Lucknow, India:
Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com
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