Thyroid Cancer

Causes

• Genetics: Family history of thyroid cancer or genetic syndromes.
• Radiation Exposure: Previous radiation treatment to the head, neck, or chest, especially
  in childhood.
• Gender: More common in women than men.
• Age: Most common in people between 25 and 65.
• Iodine Deficiency: Low iodine in the diet can increase risk.

Symptoms

• Lump in the Neck: A palpable nodule or lump.
• Hoarseness: Changes in the voice or persistent hoarseness.
• Difficulty Swallowing: Problems with swallowing.
• Neck Pain: Pain in the front of the neck, sometimes extending to the ears.
• Swollen Lymph Nodes: Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.
• Breathing Problems: Difficulty breathing if the tumor is large enough.

Types

• Papillary Thyroid Cancer:
  • Most common type.
  • Grows slowly and often spreads to lymph nodes in the neck.
• Follicular Thyroid Cancer:
  • Includes Hurthle cell carcinoma.
  • Tends to spread to lungs and bones.
• Medullary Thyroid Cancer:
  • Can be sporadic or familial.
  • Often associated with genetic syndromes.
• 4. Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer:
  • Rare and aggressive.
  • Difficult to treat due to rapid growth and spread.

Diagnosis

• Physical Examination: Checking for lumps or enlargement.
• Blood Tests: Measuring levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and other markers.
• Ultrasound: Imaging to examine the thyroid and nearby structures.
• Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy: Removing a sample of thyroid tissue for analysis.
• Radioactive Iodine Scan: Using radioactive iodine to detect cancer cells.
• CT Scan/PET Scan: Detailed imaging to assess the extent of cancer spread.

Treatment

• Surgery:
  • Thyroidectomy: Removal of part or all of the thyroid.
  • Lymph Node Dissection: Removal of affected lymph nodes.
• Radioactive Iodine Therapy: Using radioactive iodine to destroy remaining cancer cells
  after surgery.
• Hormone Therapy: Suppressing TSH with synthetic thyroid hormones.
• External Beam Radiation Therapy: High-energy beams to kill cancer cells.
• Chemotherapy: Drugs to kill cancer cells, typically used for advanced cases.
• Targeted Therapy: Drugs targeting specific genetic changes in cancer cells.
• Immunotherapy: Boosting the immune system to fight cancer, used in certain cases.

Prevention

• Avoid Excessive Radiation: Minimize exposure to radiation, especially in childhood.
• Genetic Testing: For those with a family history of thyroid cancer or genetic syndromes.
• Healthy Diet: Ensure adequate iodine intake through diet or supplements.