Thyroid Cancer Treatment

Thyroid cancer is a very rare cancer type. When there is the growth of many cells in the thyroid gland and have risk of becoming cancerous, then this change is called thyroid cancer. It starts to grow the cells in the thyroid gland which surrounds the windpipe of the neck. This gland releases hormones that help to regulate metabolism and body functions, like growth, body temperature, blood pressure etc. According to research, it is shown that more than 5 lac people are experiencing this disease all over the world. The number of female patients are more than males. After getting diagnosed with such life threatening disease, patients look for the best medical options to treat thyroid cancer. With advanced medical facilities, it is possible to treat such types of cancer, and all the best options of thyroid cancer treatment will be explained below.

Types of Thyroid Cancer

It is divided into four types on the basis of the origin of those cancerous cells, and these are as follows:

• Papillary Cancer: It is a common type and affects the lymph nodes in the neck. This type of cancer can be treated with the treatment.
• Follicular Cancer: In this cancer spreads to the other parts of the bones and organs, like lungs. It is metastatic cancer, so its treatment is not so easy.
• Medullary Cancer: The modification in the gene or DNA sequence and a family history with the same disease can be the reason for this type of cancer.
• Anaplastic Cancer: It is difficult to treat because it spreads more rapidly to the other parts of the body.

Thyroid Cancer Symptoms & Signs

Thyroid cancer has some visible symptoms which can be seen on the base of the neck in the form of painless lumps. However, these early signs of thyroid cancer may be seen which are as follows:

• Difficulty in swallowing
• Sore throat
• Swollen neck due to lump
• Ear pain
• Changes in the voice due to scratchiness in the throat (hoarseness)
• Reduced appetite
• Feeling tired
• Trouble breathing
• Chronic cough

Causes Of Thyroid Cancer

The precise cause of thyroid cancer is not fully known yet, however, here are some factors that may cause it.

• Deficiency of iodine
• Gender factor like females are more prone than males
• Radiation exposure
• Overweight
• People between 25 to 65 are more likely to develop it
• Family history of thyroid related disease
• Genetic mutation can cause alteration in healthy genes

Procedures of Thyroid Cancer Treatment

There are some protocols that have to be followed before starting the treatment for thyroid cancer. These are mentioned below:

Diagnosis & Tests

Disease should be detected before starting the treatment, so a doctor may conduct the following tests:

• Imaging tests like PET and CT scan
• Blood testing
• Biopsy
• Physical examination
• MRI
• Endoscopy of the throat
• Thyroid function test or Radioactive Iodine Uptake
• Ultrasound

Stages

Its stage describes how rapidly it is spreading and its size. The TNM system is used to describe the stage of thyroid cancer.

• T (Tumor): It describes the size and exact location of the tumor.
• N (Nodes): It tells whether the lymph nodes have been affected or not by this cancer.
• M (Metastasis): It is a metastatic phase in which cancer gets spread to other parts of the body.

Thyroid Cancer Treatment Options

On the basis of its type and stage of the cancer, treatment can be started. A healthcare professional will provide an effective treatment plan to fight against thyroid cancer. There are some thyroid tumor treatment options which are as follows:

• Surgery: It is the first treatment to remove the lobe is called lobectomy and a whole thyroid gland is removed is known as thyroidectomy. The surgery is done on the basis of its size and the occurrence of these abnormal cells.
• Chemotherapy: There are some medications which are used to stop and kill those cancer spreading cells. It can be taken through the mouth or a vein. These chemicals affect the specific area of cancer producing cells.
• Thyroid Hormone Therapy: It helps to remove those hormones which may increase the risk of thyroid cancer.
• Radioiodine Treatment: In this treatment a radioactive iodine in the form of solution or tablet is used. The thyroid gland absorbs this radioiodine and in this way the drug kills cancer cells in the thyroid.
• Targeted Therapy: In this treatment, those medicines are used which identifies and attacks the cancerous cells. There are some inhibitors which block the signals and proteins of those cells that promote cancer.
• Radiation Therapy: It is of two types in which a high beam of light is used to kill tumor cells. In an internal radiation therapy, a radioactive substance is placed into the thyroid cancer cells through wire or catheter.