What Things Should You Know About Thyroid Cancer?
Thyroid cancer is a cancer that starts in the thyroid, which is a butterfly-shaped gland found at the base of the neck. It makes hormones that help control the body’s temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, weight, and blood flow. In the beginning, this cancer did not show any symptoms or causes. But when it grows slowly, it is very dangerous. Small thyroid cancer can be diagnosed through CT and MRI scans, and it can be cured with treatment. The thyroid cancer treatment is available in the cancer hospital. Treatment options for thyroid cancer are surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and radioiodine therapy. In this blog, you will learn about the symptoms and treatment options for thyroid cancer.
Thyroid Cancer Symptoms:
The symptoms of thyroid cancer include the following:
- If there are changes in your voice and an increase in hoarseness.
- When patients find pain in their throat and neck.
- In case the lymph nodes in your neck are swollen.
- Consult your doctor if you are constantly tired or experiencing nausea and vomiting.
- Finding a loss of appetite and unexpected weight loss.
- Finding difficulty breathing and swallowing.
Risk Factors for Thyroid Cancer:
Generally, the risk factors for thyroid cancer are low iodine intake, obesity, an enlarged thyroid, if you have a family history of thyroid cancer or thyroiditis, if there is exposure to radioactive rays from nuclear weapons, gene mutations, which also cause endocrine diseases, and if you have had radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.
Thyroid Cancer Types:
The different types of cancer cells include:
- Papillary thyroid cancer
This type of thyroid cancer is also known as differentiated thyroid cancer. It can happen at any age, but it most commonly affects people between the ages of 30 and 50.This type of cancer is small, and it spreads to the lymph nodes in the neck. But it is curable and rarely fatal.
- Follicular Thyroid Cancer:
Follicular thyroid cancer is a type of cancer that affects people who are older than 50 years. It generally occurs in people who don’t get enough iodine in their diet. Generally, this cancer does not spread to lymph nodes, but it spreads to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or bones.
- Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
This aggressive type of thyroid cancer grows quickly and is very hard to treat. It affects people over the age of 60 and causes severe symptoms such as neck swelling as well as difficulty breathing and swallowing.
- Medullary thyroid cancer
This type of cancer basically occurs in people who have a family history of thyroid disease. Genetic mutation is the major cause of this disease. It generally begins in the group of thyroid cells known as C cells. The C-cells produce calcitonin, and this hormone helps to control the level of calcium in the blood at an early stage.
Treatment Options for Thyroid Cancer:
The treatments for thyroid cancer include:
- Radioiodine Therapy:
In this therapy, the doctor gives the patient a pill or liquid to swallow that contains a higher dose of radioactive iodine. This radioiodine will destroy the thyroid cancer cells, and the thyroid gland will absorb all the radioiodine. This therapy is completely safe for the patient.
- Radiation Therapy:
In this therapy, a machine is used in external radiation therapy to deliver energy beams to the tumor spot. And placing the radioactive seeds in or around the tumor is known as “internal radiation therapy.” This radiation not only prevents cancer cell growth but also kills them.
- Chemotherapy:
In chemotherapy, intravenous or oral chemotherapy medicines helps to stop cancer growth as well as kill cancer cells.
- Hormone Therapy:
In this therapy, it blocks the release of hormones therapy that are causing cancer to spread in the body.
- Surgery:
In the surgery, the surgeon will either remove part of your thyroid gland or the entire gland. This treatment is determined by the size and location of the tumor.
The thyroid cancer is fully curable, and the treatment stops the cancer cells from growing and spreading in different parts of the body. If the treatment does not cure thyroid cancer, it will prevent the cancer cells from spreading.
The thyroid gland consists of 2 lobes, which are placed on either side of the windpipe. Its main function is to release hormones; chemicals, which have powerful effects on many different functions of the body, the hormones that it secretes are T3, T4 and Calcitonin, which regulates the body’s metabolic rate. Excess of T3 and T4 makes people overcharged and one might lose weight. If people have less of these hormones, they might feel lethargic and gain weight.
Thyroid cancer is a rare kind of cancer hence risk is associated with it, which takes place in the gland at the base of the neck. A painless lump or an inflammation that develops in the neck is one of the most common symptoms of thyroid. Other symptoms show up when the condition reaches an advanced stage, which may include; inexplicable hoarseness, which lasts for more than a few weeks, difficulty in swallowing, which does not get better, a sore throat or a lump in or around the neck. Not everyone who has a lump in the thyroid gland has cancer, as one in twenty lumps turn out to be cancerous.
As per studies the number of thyroid patients in India is one-tenth of 48,000 Americans who are suffering from thyroid cancer. So, we can officially put around 5000 to 6000 patients in India are suffering from thyroid cancer. There are four primary types of Thyroid Cancers, Papillary Carcinoma, which is the most common type, Follicular Carcinoma, Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma and Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma, which is the rarest and the most aggressive type of thyroid cancer and usually affects the geriatric population over 60 years old.
Women are 2 to 3 times more likely to develop thyroid cancer than men. The reason is not entirely clear though it can be a resultant of the hormonal changes linked to the female reproductive system.
Why does Thyroid Cancer happen?
In most cases, the cause remains unknown. However, there are a few risk factors in the thyroid cancer, which increase your chances of developing the condition; having a family history of thyroid cancer, weight, height and exposure to radiation.
TFT or Thyroid Function Test measures the hormone levels in the blood and rules out other thyroid problems. Clinicians might do further tests if the reason for lump remains unknown and the TFT comes out fine.
The treatment of thyroid cancer depends son the stage and type of the cancer, and one hundred percent cure is possible. Doctors normally treat the cancers of thyroid using mix of radiotherapy and surgery, which stops the cancerous growth. Cancerous cells can seldom reappear years after the surgery, your doctor will ask you to visit often so that it can be treated in time.
Eating healthy, whole grains, fruits and leafy vegetables is the best way to avoid getting thyroid cancer and all other types of cancer.
Tele Consult with our expert doctors at Oncoplus Hospital, Defence Colony, New Delhi, write to us info@oncoplus.co.in or call us at +91 85889 09091 to book an appointment.
Understand Thyroid Cancer
Though rarer than other cancers, the number of people seeking treatment for thyroid cancer in Delhi has steadily grown, and we’ve seen an upward curve in the number of patients who come to us for the best cancer treatment in Delhi.
This article from one of Delhi’s best doctors for thyroid cancer will help you better understand what causes thyroid cancer and how it can be treated.
The thyroid gland is a part of the endocrine system; this system produces hormones that control the normal functioning of the body. The thyroid is a tiny, butterfly-shaped gland found at the base of the throat, it has one left and one right lobe. The thyroid produces the hormone thyroxine, which helps the body regulate its metabolism, blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and weight.
Thyroid cancer is the most common type of endocrine cancer and cases are on the rise in India.
Symptoms of thyroid cancer
Early stages of thyroid cancer have no symptoms whatsoever, but you should not be able to feel your thyroid gland if it’s healthy. As the thyroid cancer advances, the symptoms that can occur are a lump in the throat, cough, hoarseness, ache in the throat and neck, difficulty while swallowing or swollen lymph nodes in the neck
Talk to the best oncologists in Delhi at Oncoplus if you have any of these symptoms.
Risk factors
The factors that can add to the risk of thyroid cancer can be a family history of thyroid cancer, women get it more, a history of breast cancer or being exposed to radiation, age is another factor and thyroid cancer will most likely to occur after the age of 40.
Tests to detect thyroid cancer
Diagnosing thyroid cancer
You can get full cancer testing with us at our in-house laboratory for reliable and quicker test results. You can go in for a physical exam or laboratory test which can reveal thyroid cancer. A neck examination can also reveal a small or large mass in the thyroid. Lymph nodes could also be enlarged.
Lab tests and procedures used to diagnose thyroid cancer include thyroid function tests, thyroglobulin test, ultrasound of thyroid gland, thyroid scan and biopsy, level of calcium, phosphorus and calcitonin in the blood and a laryngoscopy can reveal potential for thyroid cancer.
Early detection is the best cure in a lot of cancer cases, most in fact. And you should keep these things in mind and call us for more information on thyroid cancer or for booking a consultation with our expert oncologists at Delhi’s best cancer hospital.
Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid is a small butterfly shaped gland situated at the base of neck. This gland controls our metabolism by producing those hormones that regulate heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and body weight.
it develops in thyroid gland when cells change abnormally forming a tumour.
it might not show any signs at first but it can lead to severe pain associated with swelling in the neck.
Most cases can be managed with different treatment methods available.
There are several treatment options available to cure bone cancer at Oncoplus Hospital, Delhi.
TYPES
- Papillary thyroid cancer: This is the most common type of thyroid cancer. This type of cancer can occur at any age, but people between 30 to 50 years are affected most.
- Follicular thyroid cancer: Follicular thyroid cancer affects people older than age 50.
- Anaplastic thyroid cancer: Anaplastic is a rare type of thyroid cancer that occurs in adults age 60 and older. This can be the most severe type, because it spreads to other parts of body aggressively however this cancer is rare.
- Medullary thyroid cancer: begins in thyroid cells, which produce the hormone calcitonin and the elevated levels of calcitonin in the blood can indicate medullary thyroid cancer at an early stage.
Book an appointment with the best oncologists for cancer treatment as well as diagnosis at best cancer Hospital in Delhi.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF THYROID CANCER?
Initially, Thyroid cancer might not show any signs but it can lead to severe pain associated with swelling in the neck.
- Pain in neck and throat
- A lump in the neck
- Difficulty while swallowing
- Vocal changes causing hoarseness in voice
- Cough
CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS
Thyroid cancer develops when cells in the thyroid gland undergo certain genetic changes causing the cells to grow and multiply at fast rate. These cells accumulate abnormally forming a tumour.
However, there are several risk factors that contribute in the development of Thyroid cancer. These are:
- Gender: Women are three times more likely to get thyroid cancer than men
- Age: one can get thyroid cancer at any age. But women are often diagnosed in their 40s and 50s. Men tend to be older -- in their 60s and 70s -- when they find out they have it.
- Radiation Exposure: Children who get radiation therapy for some cancers, such as lymphoma, are at more risk of developing thyroid cancer. Adults exposed to radiation have lower chances of getting it when compared with children.
- Heredity and Genetics: The chances of getting thyroid cancer are higher if anyone in family had this disease.
- Not Enough Iodine in the Diet: Our body needs Iodine to make thyroid hormones. Certain thyroid cancers are more common in parts of the world where people have low levels of iodine.
HOW TO DIAGNOSE THYROID CANCER
Tests used to diagnose thyroid cancer are :
- Physical examination. The doctor examines neck to feel for physical changes in patient’s thyroid, such as thyroid nodules. He or she may also ask about the family history of thyroid tumors.
- Blood Tests. Blood tests help determine the functionality of the thyroid gland.
- Ultrasound. Ultrasound help the doctor to see if a lump is filled with fluid or it is solid. A solid lump is likely to contain cancerous cells. Further tests are required to confirm the diagnosis. The ultrasound also show the size and number of nodules on the thyroid.
- CT scan. CT Scan uses special X-rays to help the doctor a look inside the thyroid gland. body. It can show the size and location of thyroid cancer and whether it has spread to other parts of the body.
- Biopsy: Removing a sample of thyroid tissue. samples of suspicious thyroid tissue are removed using needles by the doctor and these samples are sent to the laboratory to look for cancer cells.
- Radioiodine scan. This scan measures the radiation in thyroid gland or other parts of patient’s body.
- PET Scan. This scan looks at the changes precisely using small amounts of radioactive material, called radiotracers, a special camera, and a computer to look closely at organs and tissue.
WHAT ARE THE STAGES OF it?
Papillary or Follicular Thyroid Cancer -- Patients below 45 years
- Stage I - Tumour may be of any size also it may have spread to nearby tissues but not to other parts of the body.
- Stage II - At this stage, cancer has spread to other parts of the body such as lungs or bones.
Papillary or Follicular Thyroid Cancer -- Patients above 45 years
- Stage I - The tumour is 2cm in size and limited to thyroid gland only.
- Stage II - Tumour is limited to the thyroid gland but size can be more than 2 cm upto 4 cm.
- Stage III - The size of tumour at this stage is larger than 4 cm and has spread to nearby tissues or nearby lymph nodes.
Stage IV is further divided into three categories:
- Stage IVA - The cancer has spread to skin, larynx, esophagus or trachea.
- Stage IVB - The tumor has grown upto spine or into nearby large blood vessels including carotid arteries. These arteries carry blood to face,brain and neck.
- Stage IVC - The cancer has spread beyond the thyroid upto lungs, bones, and distant lymph nodes.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Treatment options for Thyroid cancer available at Oncoplus Hospital, Delhi are:
Surgery
Most people with thyroid cancer undergo surgery to remove the thyroid.
- Thyroidectomy: Removing all or most of the thyroid. A surgical intervention to remove the thyroid gland might involve removing all of the thyroid tissue or most of the thyroid tissue.
- Thyroid lobectomy: Removing a portion of the thyroid. During a thyroid lobectomy, the surgeon removes half of the thyroid. It might be recommended in case if patient has a slow-growing thyroid cancer in one part of the thyroid and no suspicious nodules exist in other areas of the thyroid.
- Lymph node dissection: Removing lymph nodes in the neck. The surgeon may also remove nearby lymph nodes in the neck while removing the thyroid.
Thyroid hormone therapy
After thyroidectomy, thyroid hormone medication may be recommended for some patients for life. This therapy is beneficial for patients as these medicines supply the missing hormone patient’s thyroid would normally produce, and suppress the production of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) from the pituitary gland. Because a high TSH levels could stimulate any remaining cancer cells to grow.
Radioactive iodine
Radioactive iodine treatment uses large doses of a form of iodine that is radioactive, which is often used after thyroidectomy to destroy any remaining healthy thyroid tissue. Radioactive iodine treatment may also be used in case thyroid cancer recur.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is given externally using a machine that aims high-energy beams, such as X-rays and protons, at precise points on the patient’s body.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses chemicals to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy is typically given as an infusion through a vein. The chemicals travel throughout the patient’s body, killing quickly growing cells, including cancer cells.
Targeted drug therapy
Targeted drug treatments is a newer treatment that targets only certain parts of cancer cells, to slow or stop growth. This therapy focus on specific abnormalities present within cancer cells. By blocking these abnormalities, targeted drug treatments can cause cancer cells to die.
Injecting alcohol into cancers
Alcohol ablation is used in case of very small tumours, it involves injecting small thyroid cancers with alcohol using imaging such as ultrasound to ensure precise placement of the injection. This causes thyroid cancers to shrink.
Palliative or Supportive care
Palliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on providing relief from pain and other symptoms of a serious illness. Palliative care specialists work with patient and his/her family to provide an extra layer of support that complements his/her ongoing care.