Thyroid Cancer

Abnormal growth of cells in the thyroid gland

Overview

The thyroid gland is responsible for producing hormones that help in regulating heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and weight. Thyroid cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the thyroid gland. There is an abnormal growth of cells in the inner lining of the thyroid gland leading to the formation of tumors.

Thyroid cancer may not show any symptoms in its early stage but once diagnosed, it must be treated immediately to prevent any further complications.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of thyroid cancer are:

Lump in Neck

Pain in Neck Throat

Changes in Voice

Difficulty Swallowing

Causes

Thyroid cancer can be caused due to:

Diagnosis

Other than the regular physical checkup a doctor may advise one or more than of the following tests to determine the best treatment. Tests can include:

Ultrasound

MRI

CT Scan

Biopsy

Blood Tests

When to See a Doctor

Make an appointment right away if any worrisome symptoms appear.

Treatment

Treatment for thyroid cancer will depend on its stage, location, and patient’s overall health. Usually, surgery is the mainstay of the treatment. Thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing the thyroid gland. If cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, it may also be removed along with the thyroid. This is later followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy to kill the remaining cancer cells.

Some patients may require hormone thyroid hormone therapy and radioactive iodine ablation therapy after the surgery to prevent cancer from recurring.

Risks, Complications & Preventions

It is not possible to eliminate the risk of developing thyroid cancer completely. It can even recur in lymph nodes after thyroid gland surgery. Regular blood tests and thyroid scans are advised to check for signs of its recurrence.