Thyroid Cancer
What is Thyroid Cancer?
The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system.
From its location in the neck, it is responsible for secreting thyroid hormones which regulate metabolism and growth.
When the Thyroid cells present in their tissues become harmful and multiply uncontrollably; we are in the presence of thyroid cancer.
The thyroid is shaped like a butterfly.
It consists of 3 easily identifiable parts:
- Right lobe.
- Left lobe.
- Isthmus.
In turn, the gland has 2 types of cells:
- Follicular cells. They are responsible for producing thyroid hormone (which regulates metabolism).
- C or parafollicular cells. They are responsible for producing the hormone calcitonin (which regulates the use of calcium).
The types of cancer vary according to the cells in which they develop and can grow anywhere in their anatomy.
It is common for the thyroid to also form thyroid nodules (benign); whose treatment protocols are different.
Symptoms
Symptoms can be variable from one type to another; However, thyroid cancer is identified with the following:
- Presence of a lump in the neck, which sometimes grows rapidly (thyroid nodule).
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
- Hoarse voice.
- Cough.
- Difficulty swallowing and sore throat.
- Shortness of breath.
It is important to remember that many benign tumors present the same symptoms; which is why there is no certainty of cancer until the diagnostic tests indicated by the specialist are performed.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing thyroid cancer involves several methods, including:
Blood tests
The specialist may perform blood tests to measure the levels of thyrotropin (TSH) and thyroxine (T4) in the blood. Abnormal levels of these thyroid hormones can indicate a thyroid problem, including cancer.
Physical exam of the neck
Initially, the doctor will perform a physical exam of the neck to look for the presence of any lumps or bumps that may indicate thyroid cancer.
Fine needle biopsy
If a lump is found during physical examination or on an ultrasound, a fine-needle biopsy may be recommended. This procedure involves removing a small amount of thyroid tissue to be examined for cancer cells.
Radioactive iodine uptake
Radioactive iodine uptake is a test used to measure thyroid function, which involves administering a small amount of radioactive iodine by mouth, and then measuring how much of this iodine is absorbed by the thyroid.
Thyroid scan
Thyroid scintigraphy is a diagnostic test where a radioactive tracer is used to monitor the structure and function of the thyroid gland. Through the scintigraphy, it is possible to evaluate how much marker the thyroid gland absorbs from the blood, being able to obtain images that give precise information about the size, shape and position of the blood.
Treatment
Treatment for thyroid cancer may include one or more of these options:
Surgery to remove the thyroid and lymph nodes
Surgery is the most common surgical treatment for thyroid cancer. During the procedure, the thyroid gland and, in some cases, lymph nodes near it are removed.
Radioactive iodine treatment to kill remaining cancer cells
After surgery, radioactive iodine treatment may be given orally to kill any residual cancer cells. Iodine is absorbed by thyroid cells, including those that may remain after surgery, helping to destroy even hidden cells.
Chemotherapy to kill cancer cells
Chemotherapy is often used along with radioactive iodine treatment in cases of advanced thyroid cancer that has spread outside the thyroid.
Thyroid hormone therapy
After surgery, synthetic thyroid hormones may be prescribed to replace the hormones normally produced by the thyroid gland. This therapy helps prevent cancer recurrence and control hormone levels.
External radiation therapy
In some cases, external radiation therapy may be used to kill cancer cells in the thyroid gland. This treatment involves administering radiation from an external source specifically aimed at the affected area.
Types of Thyroid Cancer
There are several types of thyroid cancer, which are differentiated by the type of cells affected and their behavior:
- Differentiated. They form in follicular cells and are the most common type.
- Medullary. They are more difficult to identify and much less frequent; are formed in C cells.
- Anaplastic. Its treatment is more complex, but its occurrence is also minimal.
This rare type of cancer is thought to evolve from a pre-existing one.
In this sense, we can say that the most frequent types of thyroid cancer are:
Papillary thyroid cancer
It is the most common type of thyroid cancer and originates in the follicular cells of the thyroid gland. It tends to grow slowly and generally has a good prognosis.
Follicular thyroid cancer
This type of cancer also originates in the follicular cells of the thyroid, but it tends to be more aggressive than papillary cancer. It can spread to other organs such as the lungs or bones.
Medullary thyroid cancer
It originates in the C cells of the thyroid gland, which produce the hormone calcitonin. This type of cancer can be hereditary and can also be associated with other endocrine diseases.
Anaplastic thyroid cancer
It is the most aggressive type of thyroid cancer and is characterized by growing and spreading rapidly. It is often diagnosed in advanced stages and has a poor prognosis.
Preparing for Surgery
Thyroid cancer, due to its diversity of presentations, has many treatment options that your specialist will surely help you understand more precisely.
In these cases, in addition to surgical and pharmacological treatment, working on the emotional aspect of the patient is extremely important so that they do not resist applying the corresponding treatment.
On the other hand, taking into account that in many cases genetic predisposition implies an increased risk of cancer; It is advisable to know a little more about these pathologies, for which it can be a good support to have a geneticist.
Causes and Risk Factors of Thyroid Cancer
In most cases, the exact reason why thyroid cancer develops is not known.
However, some risk factors have been identified that can increase the chances of suffering from this disease, among them are:
Radiation
Exposure of the thyroid to radiation is a proven risk factor for thyroid cancer. This may include previous medical treatments that involved radiation to the neck region such as radiation therapy to treat other types of head and neck cancer, or radiation exposure during childhood.
Genetic factors
Some cases of thyroid cancer may be associated with inherited genetic changes. For example, certain genetic syndromes such as Gardner syndrome, Cowden syndrome, and Carney syndrome can increase the risk of developing thyroid cancer.
Exposure to the High or Low Iodine Diet
Deficiency or excess of iodine in the diet can increase the risk of thyroid cancer. Iodine is an essential nutrient for proper thyroid function, and its imbalance can affect the health of the thyroid gland.
Sex and age
Thyroid cancer is more common in women than in men. In addition, the risk of developing thyroid cancer increases with age, especially after the age of 40.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland. People with this condition have an increased risk of thyroid cancer.
Benign diseases
Some benign thyroid diseases, such as thyroid adenomas and thyroid nodules, may slightly increase the risk of thyroid cancer.
Exposure to certain chemicals
Exposure to certain chemicals, such as asbestos and benzene, may increase the risk of thyroid cancer, although this association is not fully established.
Prevention and complications
Thyroid cancer can be “prevented” by taking the right steps to reduce the risk of developing the disease, such as: avoiding exposure to ionizing radiation and undergoing regular testing to check for any lumps or bumps in the neck.
It’s also important to consider medical history and family history, as certain conditions can increase your risk of thyroid cancer.
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