Thyroid Cancer
What is Thyroid Cancer?
The thyroid gland is a critical part of the endocrine system. It produces hormones that regulate heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and metabolism. Thyroid cancer occurs when the DNA in these cells mutates, causing abnormal cells to multiply and form a tumor.
Types of Thyroid Cancer
The disease is categorized into four main types, which differ in how they grow and respond to treatment:
Papillary Thyroid Cancer (PTC): The most common type, accounting for about 70% to 80% of cases. It is slow-growing, highly treatable, and usually responds well to therapy.
Follicular Thyroid Cancer (FTC): Makes up about 10% to 15% of diagnoses. It primarily affects older adults and can occasionally spread to the lungs or bones.
Medullary Thyroid Cancer (MTC): A rare form that accounts for about 2% of cases. It can run in families and is linked to specific genetic mutations.
Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer (ATC): A very rare and aggressive type that grows quickly and invades surrounding tissues.
Common Symptoms
Most early-stage thyroid cancers do not cause any noticeable symptoms. However, as tumors grow, patients may experience in the neck
Diagnosis
Because blood tests for thyroid function often return normal results, a diagnosis typically relies on a combination of physical examination, neck imaging, and biopsy. Common diagnostic steps include:
Fine-Needle Aspiration (FNA) Biopsy
The removal of a small sample of cells from the nodule for laboratory testing
Treatment Options
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Surgery
The primary treatment to remove all (total thyroidectomy) or part (lobectomy) of the thyroid gland.
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Radioactive Iodine Therapy:
Used to destroy any remaining healthy thyroid or cancerous cells.
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Thyroid Hormone Therapy
Medication prescribed after surgery to replace missing thyroid hormones and suppress the growth of any remaining cells.
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Targeted Therapy & Chemotherapy
Used primarily for advanced or aggressive cases.