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Thyroid Cancer – Warning Signs, Causes, and Management Options

Thyroid Cancer – Warning Signs, Causes, and Management Options

Thyroid cancer develops in the thyroid gland, a small butterfly-shaped gland found inside the lower front of one’s neck. It is a part of the endocrine system. The thyroid gland releases hormones that control body temperature, heart rate, and metabolism. The forms of treatment include surgery, radioiodine therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation. The treatment choice depends on several factors, including early signs of thyroid cancer, its causes, and treatments.

Warning signs of thyroid cancer
Change in voice
One of the troubling symptoms of thyroid cancer is the local infection of surrounding structures, including the nerve that controls the vocal cord. If thyroid cancer invades that nerve, it might cause hoarseness or changes in the voice.

Coughing blood
The trachea and esophagus are closely linked to the thyroid, which might result in a cough that contains blood in certain people. If the tumor presses on the tissues within the neck, such as the windpipe or food pipe, advanced thyroid cancer can cause swallowing or breathing difficulties.

Lump in the neck
One symptom that may indicate thyroid cancer is the presence of a lump in the thyroid gland. Some physicians may notice a lump in the thyroid gland incidentally during a physical exam. The lump is typically painless and may be an indication of thyroid cancer. Early detection and remedies can improve outcomes and increase the likelihood of a full recovery.

Pain in the neck
Even without a lump, people with thyroid cancer may experience pain in the neck. However, thyroid cancer is the rare cause of this pain. If neck pain does not resolve within a week of onset, it is best to get it checked by a doctor.

Wheezing
Most of the thyroid cancer symptoms are related to the neck area. Thyroid tumors put constant pressure on the airways resulting in constricted airways that prevent the air from passing through. This leads to frequent wheezing.

Excessive diarrhea
Medullary thyroid cancer is a rare kind of thyroid cancer that develops in the C cells of the thyroid gland, which produce the hormone calcitonin. While medullary thyroid cancer is less common than other kinds of thyroid cancer, it can be more aggressive and difficult to treat. One symptom that is common to medullary thyroid cancer is frequent bowel movements. Some people may have bowel movements between 10 and 20 times per day, which can significantly disrupt daily life. In addition to frequent bowel movements, other symptoms of medullary thyroid cancer may include a lump in the neck, difficulty swallowing, and hoarseness.

Types of thyroid cancer
Papillary thyroid cancer
This type makes up about 80% of all cases, making it the most prevalent. This type of cancer develops in the follicular cells of the thyroid gland and grows slowly. It typically has a high rate of survival and is curable.

Follicular thyroid cancer
This kind accounts for about 10-15% of cases. This type of cancer also develops in the thyroid gland’s follicular cells and is more prone to spread to other body parts than papillary thyroid cancer.

Medullary thyroid cancer
Medullary thyroid cancer develops in the C cells of the thyroid gland, which produce the hormone calcitonin. This type of cancer accounts for about 4% of all thyroid cancers and can run in families.

Anaplastic thyroid cancer
This rare and aggressive thyroid cancer accounts for less than 2% of cases. This type of cancer develops in the thyroid gland’s follicular cells and grows quickly, making it difficult to treat.

Causes of thyroid cancer
Genetic factors
One of the primary causes of thyroid cancer is genetics. Certain gene mutations or abnormalities may increase the risk of developing thyroid cancer. These gene mutations may be inherited from parents or occur spontaneously.

Exposure to radiation
Exposure to radiation, particularly during childhood, is another factor that can increase the risk of thyroid cancer. Radiation exposure can be caused by various sources, including medical radiation treatments, nuclear accidents, and environmental radiation exposure.

Age and gender
Thyroid cancer is more common in women than men, and the risk of developing thyroid cancer increases with age. Most cases of thyroid cancer occur in people over the age of 50.

Thyroid nodules
Thyroid nodules can develop on the thyroid gland. While most thyroid nodules are benign, some may be cancerous. People with thyroid nodules may have an increased risk of developing thyroid cancer.

Iodine deficiency
Iodine is a mineral that is crucial to produce thyroid hormones. In areas where iodine is deficient, there may be an increased risk of thyroid cancer. However, an excess can also increase the risk of thyroid cancer in areas with abundant iodine.

Treatment for thyroid cancer
The remedy for thyroid cancer depends on the stage and type of cancer and the patient’s overall health. One can also visit the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), which offers the greatest treatment for thyroid tumors and mouth cancers, among other cancers.

Surgery
One of the most common treatments for thyroid cancer is surgery. The type of surgery depends on the location and size of the cancerous tumor. A thyroid lobectomy or thyroidectomy may be performed if the tumor is small and restricted to the thyroid gland. In more advanced cases, a lymph node dissection may be necessary.

Radioactive iodine therapy
This therapy is often used after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells. The patient is given a radioactive iodine pill absorbed by the thyroid gland, killing any remaining cancer cells. This treatment is effective for treating papillary and follicular thyroid cancer.

External beam radiation therapy
This radiation therapy utilizes high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells. This treatment is usually reserved for advanced or recurrent thyroid cancer cases or when surgery is not an option.

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is not commonly used to treat cancer in the gland. However, it may be used in advanced cases or when other treatments are ineffective.

Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy is a newer treatment option for thyroid cancer. This treatment involves drugs targeting specific proteins or genes involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells. Advanced thyroid cancer that has not responded to other treatments may benefit from targeted therapy.

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