Thyroid Cancer - Types, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Do you know thyroid cancer can cause pain and swelling in your neck? This condition leads to the formation of malignant cells in the thyroid gland.

Since the thyroid gland regulates heart rate, body temperature, and metabolism, thyroid cancer ends up damaging most bodily functions.

It is imperative to know that most thyroid cancers are curable. Keep reading to enhance your knowledge on how thyroid cancer occurs and its cure.

What Is Thyroid Cancer?

Thyroid cancer occurs in the thyroid cells. The gland is located at the base of the neck. It regulates metabolism by producing hormones.

Cancer occurs when a cell in the thyroid undergoes genetic mutation, leading to its multiplication. As a result, these cells lose the ability to destroy.

This leads to the formation of abnormal tumours or thyroid cells. These thyroid nodules can be solid or filled with fluid.

Though thyroid cancer can cause harm to bodily function, it has a high curable rate.

Hence, it is recommended to check whether you fall in the risk zone. This will help you consult a doctor regarding thyroid cancer treatment.

Who Is at Risk?

Thyroid cancer is a common disease that can occur in any age group. Approximately 1.2% of men and women are diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

It is seen that women are three times more likely to get thyroid cancer.

Thyroid cancer symptoms in women are seen in the age of 40s and 50s. In contrast, men in their 60s and 70s are prone to thyroid cancer.

The chances of thyroid cancer are usually high if an individual has these conditions-

Exposure to radioactive fallout or a power plant accident.
Family history of thyroid cancer
Gene mutations such as type 2B (MEN2B) syndrome or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A)
Goitre or enlarged thyroid
Low iodine intake
Obesity
Radiation therapy for neck and head cancer during childhood
Thyroiditis

Now let’s check the different types of thyroid cancer for a detailed understanding.

The Types of Thyroid Cancer

The common thyroid cancer variants based on growth and cell type include:

Papillary - The growth rate of this particular form of thyroid cancer is quite slow. This is a reason why Papillary thyroid cancer is highly curable.
Follicular - This form of thyroid cancer usually spreads to the organs and bones. If not diagnosed at the earliest, metastatic cancer will be difficult to treat.
Medullary - This variant of thyroid cancer is caused due to genetics or family history. Genetic mutation usually causes Medullary.
Anaplastic - This variant spreads faster and destroys the tissue and other parts of the body. As a result, it is difficult to treat Anaplastic patients.

Hence, it is crucial to keep a tab on the thyroid cancer symptoms for requisite treatment.

What Are the Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer?

Usually, doctors diagnose the lump growth on the neck before suggesting a remedy.

You need to visit a doctor if any of the following symptoms occur.

Difficulty in swallowing or breathing.
Growth of a thyroid nodule.
Hoarseness or loss of voice.
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

Now let’s check the common thyroid cancer causes that doctors suggest.

What Causes Thyroid Cancer?

The cause of thyroid cancer is still in the research stage. Usually, genetic changes or mutations can lead to the multiplication of cancerous cells, which in turn forms a tumour. These cells invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.

Hence, it is impossible to predict how thyroid cancer is caused. However, doctors can determine the stages of this cancer by running certain tests.

There are five stages of thyroid cancer. Evaluation of the thyroid cancer stages helps doctors prepare a treatment plan.

These stages can be divided into smaller groups. The following table explains the concept better.

Stages of Thyroid Cancer	Condition
TX	This primary tumour cannot be evaluated
T plus zero	No evidence of tumour
T1	This tumour is 2 cm or smaller. It is limited to the thyroid.
T1a	When the tumour is 1 cm or smaller
T1b	Here the tumour is larger than 1 cm but smaller than 2 cm
T2	This tumour is larger than 2 cm and smaller than 4 cm
T3	A tumour is larger than 4 cm. This tumour does not extend beyond the thyroid gland
T4	The tumour has extended beyond the thyroid
T4a	This tumour has spread beyond the thyroid to the larynx, recurrent laryngeal nerve, soft tissues, oesophagus or trachea
T4b	Here the condition is fatal as the tumour has spread beyond the regions in T4a

If the early-stage thyroid cancer symptoms are detected, the doctors can immediately start the treatment.

What Is the Treatment for Thyroid Cancer?

The treatment for thyroid cancer completely depends on the tumour size and growth. A doctor diagnoses whether cancer has spread to other areas.

They usually recommend the following treatment-

Surgery: Depending on a tumour’s location and size, the surgeon will remove an affected part.
Radioiodine therapy: This process destroys or shrinks the diseased affected area along with cancer cells.
Radiation therapy: This process stops the cancer cell from growing.
Chemotherapy: Oral chemotherapy or intravenous method damages the cancer cells.
Hormone therapy: This treatment blocks the release of cancer-causing hormones.

Since these treatments are long and complicated, keeping patience and following the doctor’s advice is always beneficial.

How Can You Prevent Thyroid Cancer?

There are no particular steps or thyroid cancer prevention remedies. However, you can implement certain choices to reduce the risk of this disease. These habits can also slow down the growth of the cancerous cell.

Prevent Smoking - Generally, smoking can elevate thyroxine (T4) levels and affect thyroid-stimulating hormones. Hence, it is recommended to avoid smoking.
Thyroid Neck Check - This test can detect bumps, lumps and swelling on your thyroid.
Selenium Intake - It is a nutrient found in protein. Keeping a balanced Selenium level through a healthy diet can help prevent thyroid-related disease.
Health Checkups - Regular checkups are crucial for overall well being and keeping a tab over thyroid health.

Thyroid cancer is usually treatable. However, it is essential to consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment at the earliest.

Frequently Asked Questions

All

Is papillary thyroid cancer curable?

Yes, papillary thyroid cancer is highly curable and less fatal.

Do you need chemotherapy for early-stage thyroid cancer?

No, patients with early-stage thyroid cancer do not need chemotherapy for treatment.