Thyroid Cancers
What is Thyroid Cancer?
Thyroid cancer is a type of cancer that affects a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the neck known as the thyroid. The thyroid produces hormones that regulate the body's energy levels, which can affect heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and weight. When the cells within the thyroid become cancerous, they can spread to other parts of the body.
Thyroid cancer is not very common and is usually treatable if it's detected early. However, it can become more difficult to treat if it is not caught early on. It is most common in women and people over the age of 45.
Types of Thyroid Cancer
There are several types of thyroid cancer, including:
- Papillary thyroid cancer: This is the most common type of thyroid cancer, making up about 80 percent of thyroid cancer cases. It tends to grow slowly and is usually easy to treat. It's often detected in its early stages.
- Follicular thyroid cancer: Follicular cancer makes up about 15 percent of thyroid cancer cases and tends to grow more slowly than other types. It also has a better prognosis than other types of thyroid cancer.
- Medullary thyroid cancer: Medullary cancer is rare, making up about 2-3 percent of all thyroid cancer cases. It is caused by an inherited genetic mutation, so it is important to screen first-degree relatives if someone has medullary cancer.
- Anaplastic thyroid cancer: Anaplastic cancer is the least common type of thyroid cancer, making up less than 1 percent of all cases. It is very aggressive, making it difficult to treat, and tends to spread quickly.
Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer often does not cause any symptoms in its early stages, which can make it difficult to detect. However, as the cancer progresses, some common signs may include:
- A lump in the neck that is not painful
- Difficulty swallowing or speaking
- Hoarseness
- Neck pain and swelling
- Lung problems
- A sore throat
Diagnosing Thyroid Cancer
In order to diagnose thyroid cancer, a doctor will typically perform a physical exam to check for lumps or swelling in the neck. Blood tests and imaging can also be used to detect the presence of cancer. Doctors may also take a sample of tissue from the thyroid to be tested in a lab.
Treating Thyroid Cancer
Treatment for thyroid cancer can vary depending on the type and stage of the cancer. Treatment options may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted drug therapy. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, surgery may not be an option. In these cases, radiation or drug therapy may be used.
Preventing Thyroid Cancer
There is no known way to prevent thyroid cancer, but there are ways to reduce your risk. These include avoiding exposure to radiation, as this can increase your risk, and eating a healthy diet that is low in saturated fats and high in fruits and vegetables.