Thyroid cancer refers to a growth of cells in the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck, below the Adam’s apple. The thyroid gland is of immense importance for the body as it regulates the metabolism, heart rate, body temperature, and weight of a person. Though thyroid cancer is a rare type of cancer, it is curable and manageable if caught early. It might not produce any visible symptoms at first, but as it keeps growing, it can generate symptoms like swelling in the neck, difficulty in speaking, breathing and swallowing, etc. There are several types of Thyroid gland cancer that exist today, however, most of them are curable with proper treatment. Some of these cancers are those which grow slowly, while there are others which show a rapid growth. In this article, we will discuss in detail about thyroid cancer and its symptoms, in order to equip you with more information regarding this rare type of condition.
What are the different types of thyroid cancer?
Thyroid cancer is differentiated into different types based on the type of cells causing it. Thyroid cancer treatment for every patient depends on the type of cancer he has. Here are a few common types of thyroid cancer:
- Papillary Thyroid Cancer – It is the most common type of thyroid cancer, which can happen to people at any age. However, people between the ages of 30 to 50 years are at the highest risk of developing it. Most of these cancers are smaller and respond to the treatment well.
- Follicular Thyroid Cancer – This is a rare type of Thyroid cancer and usually only occurs to people more than 50 years of age. It typically doesn’t spread to the lymph nodes in the neck, but can spread to other parts of the body.
- Hurthle Cell Thyroid Cancer – This is a rare type of thyroid cancer that is very aggressive. It responds to the treatment very differently as compared to follicular thyroid cancer. It can even grow to involve other parts of the neck and spread to different parts of the body.
- Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Cancer – This is also a rare type of thyroid cancer which is quite aggressive and does not respond to the usual treatment options.
- Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer – This is a rare type of thyroid cancer in which Thyroid cancer lump grows quickly and is difficult to treat. It worsens very quickly after causing symptoms like neck swelling and difficulty in breathing. It usually occurs in people more than 60 years of age.
- Medullary Thyroid Cancer – This type of thyroid cancer develops in cells of the thyroid gland called the C cells, which produce a hormone called calcitonin. Elevated levels of calcitonin in blood tests can indicate thyroid cancer at a very early stage.
What are the risk factors of thyroid cancer?
Thyroid nodules cancer has a lot of risk factors, typically based on different aspects. The people who are at the most risk of developing thyroid cancer are:
- Gender – Thyroid cancer is more common in women as compared to men all across the world.
- Exposure to high radiation – Exposure to hazardous levels of radiation, and radiation therapy of the head and neck can also cause thyroid cancer.
- Genetic Factors – Thyroid gland cancer sometimes runs in the genetics and family history of some people. Medullary and Papillary thyroid cancers are the most common forms of thyroid cancers occurring because of this factor.
What are the symptoms of thyroid cancer?
At first, Thyroid nodules cancer might grow silently, without causing any significant symptoms. However, once it grows, it can cause many painful and visible symptoms. Some of the symptoms of thyroid cancer include:
- The patient might feel a visible lump or nodule that can be felt through the skin on the neck
- The patient might feel that close-fitting or collared shirts are getting too tight
- The patient might experience a change in the voice, and increased hoarseness
- The patient might have difficulty in breathing and swallowing
- The patient might have a sore throat or pain in the neck for an extended time period
- The patient might feel swollen lymph nodes in the neck
Though thyroid nodule cancer is relatively rare, early detection and intervention are the key for a successful and effective treatment. Most of the thyroid nodules are not cancerous, but can still cause various symptoms including difficulty in breathing and swallowing. Thanks to the advancements in technology and modern medicine, the treatment of these thyroid nodules is now easily available through techniques like Thyroid Nodule Ablation, which uses heat to destroy thyroid nodules. It is an effective and convenient alternative to thyroid surgery.
If you are looking for Thyroid gland cancer surgery or Thyroid cancer specialist, you have just landed on the right page. Sohana Hospital Mohali, with its advanced world-class technology and a team of North India’s most renowned and experienced Cancer Specialists and Endocrinologists, provides the most comprehensive and holistic treatment for all your thyroid and endocrine needs. Contact our experts today for a healthier and happier future!