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Thyroid Cancer Causes and Symptoms
from Sunday Signal 081422
by Signal
HEALTH
Thyroid Cancer Causes and Symptoms
Thyroid cancer is a relatively uncommon form of the disease, especially when compared to more prevalent types. In fact, the American Thyroid Association reports that approximately 44,000 people will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the United States this year, compared to more than 280,000 with breast cancer and 150,000 with colon cancer.
Nonetheless, thyroid cancer can still strike and affect the body in various ways, and it can help people from all walks of life to learn about the disease.
What is the thyroid?
The thyroid is a gland located in the base of the front of the neck. It is responsible for producing hormones that regulate a number of functions, including blood pressure, body temperature, heart rate and weight. It also affects how individuals consume oxygen.
What is thyroid cancer?
Like other cancers, thyroid cancer develops when cells mutate and begin multiplying rapidly. When enough of these abnormal cells accumulate, they form a tumor, says WebMD.
Are there different types of thyroid cancer?
There are several types of thyroid cancer:
A doctor may recommend an ultrasound and physical exam if thyroid cancer is suspected. A fine needle aspiration biopsy also may be ordered.
Papillary thyroid cancer This accounts for up to 80 percent of all thyroid cancer cases. It grows slowly but may spread to the lymph nodes in the neck. Follicular thyroid cancer This is a rare type of thyroid cancer that primarily affects people over the age of 50. If this type of thyroid cancer is aggressive, it may spread to the lungs and bones. Medullary thyroid cancer This begins in thyroid cells called C cells, which produce the hormone calcitonin. Calcitonin regulates calcium in the blood, according to the Mayo Clinic. Anaplastic thyroid cancer This grows quickly and can be difficult to treat. It tends to occur in people older than 60 and may cause severe symptoms, like neck swelling and difficulty breathing and swallowing.
Symptoms of thyroid cancer
The ATA says thyroid cancer often presents as a lump in the thyroid and does not cause any other symptoms, which can make it challenging to diagnose. Nodules often are detected during imaging tests being used to test for other illnesses. If lumps are large enough, they may show when looking in a mirror or they may cause pain or trouble with swallowing and breathing.
Who gets thyroid cancer?
Adults and children with an inherited gene that causes increased risk for medullary thyroid cancer should be cautious. Some high risk people consider having a thyroidectomy (thyroid removal) as a prophylactic way to prevent thyroid cancer, says the Mayo Clinic.
Women are more likely to get thyroid cancer than men, and Whites are more likely than Blacks to develop it. Individuals who work around radiation also are at an elevated risk. But thyroid cancer is very treatable, even in patients with advanced stages of the disease.
Thyroid cancer treatment
Approved medications for treating thyroid cancer are available. Radioactive iodine may be used to treat cancers that have metastasized outside the neck area. Surgery to remove a portion or the entire thyroid can sometimes cure the cancer altogether.
Thyroid cancer may not be the most prevalent cancer, but it is worthy of attention to increase the chances that it is detected early. (MC)
