Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid Cancer is rare, some 5 people f\per million die from it each year. About 20000 people in the US develop Thyroid Cancer per year. According to medical author, Melissa Conrad, MD, Thyroid Cancer can be developed in any person of any group but certain people are at higher risk. Her studies show that white Americans are at a greater risk of Thyroid Cancer than African Americans.
When Thyroid Cancer occurs in children, there is often, a previous history of X-ray therapy to the head, neck or chest.
Thyroid Cancer
Causes of Thyroid Cancer: The healthy cells in the body normally grow and divide in an organized manner. This process is controlled by the DNA(De-oxy Ribonucleic Acid) - the genetic material that contains the blueprint and the instructions for governing every chemical process in the body. When the DNA is damaged or mutated, these instructions are changed or, even, garbled. One result of this alteration is that some cells may begin to grow out of control. This will eventually form a tumor - a mass of malignant cells. When this occurs in the thyroid gland itself, it gives rise to Thyroid Cancer. DNA damage in case of Thyroid Cancer can be due to environmental contaminants such as:
- Radiation: According to National Cancer Institutions, when the condition occurs in children, there is a history of radiation for treatment of acne, enlarged tonsils, tonsillitis or thymic tumor. Small doses of radiation seem to precipitate Thyroid Cancer even after a latent period of 10-20 years or more. A naturally-occurring radioactive isotope (Iodine-131), that is preferentially absorbed by the thyroid gland, is used as a radioactive marker for imaging and also in the treatment of Thyroid Cancer
- The Aging Process: Thyroid Cancer is more in people above 30 years of age than in younger adults and children. Research has shown that by the age of 50, 10% women will suffer from impaired thyroid function and by the age of 60, more than 17% women will show high Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) levels, a sign of reduced thyroid functioning. This should be taken as a warning sign for increased Thyroid Cancer risk.
- Genetic Cause: According to the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER), in case a person has a family history of Thyroid Cancer, there will be a fifty-fifty chance of their inheriting Thyroid Cancer especially medullary Thyroid Cancer.
Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer: The main signs and symptoms of Thyroid Cancer are:
- A lump growing rapidly in the front of the neck, just below the Adam's apple
- A history of sudden increase in size
- Complaints of discomfort such as choking, tightness or trouble breathing
- Hoarseness of voice
Types of Thyroid Cancer: There are mainly four types of Thyroid Cancer:
- Papillary Thyroid Cancer: It is the most common form of Thyroid Cancer and occurs in all age groups but is most commonly found in children and young adults. A single hard nodule is usually present, where there was a normal thyroid gland, and spreads to lymph nodes.
- Follicular Thyroid Cancer This type of Thyroid Cancer is mostly detected in middle-aged patients with a history of goitre and is a more bellicose form than papillary Thyroid Cancer. Since this form of Thyroid Cancer may attack the recurrent laryngeal nerve, the patient may exhibit hoarseness along with a single nodule. In this case, the spread of cancerous cells in the body (metastasis) is less in lymph nodes and much more in bones and lungs.
- Ana-plastic Thyroid Cancer This Thyroid Cancer occurs mainly in older patients and grows very fast and involves skin and surrounding structures in the neck. In most cases, the Thyroid Cancer has reached inoperable stage by the time diagnosis takes place and the patient succumbs within a few months.
- Medullary Thyroid Cancer It is a very rare variety of Thyroid Cancer and in a number of cases there is a history of goitre. This Thyroid Cancer many manifest itself in single or multiple occurrences of the tumor which exhibits the growth of a solid tumor. It spreads locally to neighboring lymph nodes and may extend to mid-chest. the growth of the Thyroid Cancer may be very slow and spread over a number of years. The most common treatment is the total surgical removal of the thyroid gland.
After the diagnosis of Thyroid Cancer, the patient is advised to undergo tests to determine if the Thyroid Cancer has metastasized to other distant organs like the liver, the lungs or the bones. This is called the Staging Test.
