Thyroid Cancer – Don’t let the Rarest Define You

• Written by Farina Khan

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Thyroid cancer - an often silent disease that enters silently and can impact the body in surprising ways. Indeed, a gland in the neck that controls energy, mood, and metabolism can be affected by thyroid cancer in a silent manner. 

Are you concerned and curious to make yourself aware about this rare disease or want to know what are the  symptoms of thyroid cancer, or is thyroid cancer curable, or what are the types of thyroid cancer? Well, in this blog, we will take you through all the related information about thyroid cancer. So, without further ado, let’s get into it.

What is Thyroid Cancer?

Thyroid cancer is a rare type of cancer that developed in the butterfly shaped thyroid gland at the base of the neck. It is not easy to diagnose thyroid cancer as in most of the cases, it can’t be seen or felt. As we know the thyroid controls the metabolism of the body and releases hormones that direct multiple functions. In simple terms, the thyroid gland controls the way the body uses energy.

The thyroid gland is responsible for producing hormones that regulate heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and metabolism. When an abnormal cell mutates in the tissues of the thyroid gland, thyroid cancer develops. These abnormal cells multiply and form a tumor or mass in the thyroid. It can be treated with extra care and special attention at early stages.

Types of Thyroid Cancer

Types of thyroid cancer can be identified based on the kind of cell found in the Tumor. Although, the researchers have identified various types of thyroid cancer  some most common and important ones are as under:

Papillary Thyroid Cancers

Papillary is the most common type of thyroid cancer, accounting for almost 80% of cases. It is often detected in a single lobe of the thyroid gland that often spreads to lymph nodes. It is highly curable and rarely fatal.

Medullary Thyroid Cancer

A rarer form of thyroid cancer, constituting about 3-4% cases may be associated with genetic conditions like multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome. Most people with medullary thyroid cancer have a family history of the disease.

Follicular Thyroid Cancer

Follicular thyroid cancer represents almost 15% of cases and can sometimes spread to other body parts like bones and lungs. It is quite challenging to treat this type of cancer.

Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

The least common type of thyroid cancer is anaplastic. It is the most aggressive one and not treatable easily. Accounting for 2% of cases, anaplastic thyroid cancer spreads its arms quickly to other glands as well. 

Stages of Thyroid Cancer

The stages of cancer depends on three pieces of information as per the American Joint Committee on Cancer. Below is the detailed description of TNM method and categorisation of stages.

• T (Tumor) - size and spread of tumor.
• N (Nodes) - N0 means cancer hasn't spread to nodes while N1-N3 denotes how far cancer has spread and N3 is the biggest spread.
• M (Metastasis) - Cancer spread to distant organs like lungs or bones.

What are the Early Warning Signs of Thyroid Cancer?

In the early stages thyroid cancer of thyroid cancer, the symptoms are not easily detectable. However, when it starts developing it may show following signs:thyroid cancer symptoms:

• A lump or swelling in the neck.
• Feeling uncomfortable in high-collar shirts.
• Hoarseness or changes in voice.
• Difficulty in breathing and swallowing.
• Persistent cough not associated with illness.
• Pain in the neck or throat.

What Causes Thyroid Cancer?

Cancer is generally caused by the changes in DNA inside our body. DNA is the chemical that makes up genes while genes control how cells function. Certain genes in our body help to control when the cells grow or divide new cells. If these genes don't work properly, the cells can grow out of control. And this is how cancer develops in the body. 

Thyroid Cancer is caused by the development of changes in the thyroid gland that lead to the changes in DNA. These changes, also referred to as mutations, tell the cells to grow and multiply rapidly. These cells live while healthy cells would naturally die, and the accumulating cells form a mass referred to as tumor.

Various other factors that cause thyroid cancer include radiation exposure, iodine-less diet, and faulty genes. Check out several other factors that cause thyroid cancer:

• Enlarged thyroid
• Family history of disease.
• Thyroiditis.
• Gene mutations.
• Low iodine intake.
• Obesity.
• Radiation therapy.
• Exposure to radioactive fallout from nuclear weapons or a power plant accident.

Risk Factors of Thyroid Cancer

Certain risk factors that are associated with higher likelihood of developing thyroid cancer include:

• Gender and Age - Women are three times more likely to develop thyroid cancer. Most of the patients diagnose thyroid cancer between the 30-60 age group.
• Radiation Exposure - Previous exposure to radiation especially during childhood can increase the risk of thyroid cancer.
• Genetic Conditions - Inherited genetic conditions like MEN syndrome increase the risk of thyroid cancer.

Complications of Thyroid Cancer

The two major complications of thyroid cancer include:

1. Spread - Thyroid cancer can spread to other parts of the body including liver, lungs and bones. Detecting and treating early can reduce the risk of developing thyroid cancer.
2. Recurrence - In 30% of cases, thyroid cancer can recur even after the treatment. Generally, it takes 20 years to recur.

How is Thyroid Cancer Diagnosed?

Thyroid cancer diagnosis is simple and includes several tests and examinations. Doctors may advise for the following examinations to confirm the size and stage of thyroid cancer to identify the ideal thyroid cancer treatment.

• Physical Examination - Doctor will examine for changes in the thyroid gland like lump or nodule. The examiner may ask for past medical records like family history or past exposure to radiation.
• Blood Tests - Blood tests are done to measure the blood levels of thyroid stimulating hormone. If medullary thyroid cancer is suspected,calcitonin levels and hormone levels are analysed with the help of blood tests.
• Imaging Tests - Ultrasound is commonly used to examine thyroid cancer. Additional tests may be required, if abnormalities are detected in the ultrasound. Further imaging tests like CT scan, MRI scan, or PET scan is required to confirm the diagnosis and determine the type of thyroid cancer present.
• Radioiodine Scan - This test generally detects the spread of the cancer in the body and the nodes. During this scan, the patient needs to swallow a pill that has a safe amount of radioiodine. The iodine is absorbed by the thyroid gland and the examiner will measure the amount of radiation and will confirm the presence of cancer.
• Biopsy - During this process of diagnosis of thyroid cancer, a simple tissue is obtained with the help of a fine needle-aspiration biopsy where a thin needle is inserted through the skin. And later the sample is analysed under a microscope to confirm the presence and spread of cancer.

What’s Included in Thyroid Cancer Treatment?

There are various types of thyroid cancer treatment. Some of the treatments are still under trial and while some other standard treatments are currently being used in treating thyroid cancer. Some common treatment procedures are as mentioned below: 

• Surgery - One of the most common types of thyroid cancer treatment is surgery. Lobectomy, thyroidectomy, and tracheostomy are the procedures followed during the surgery.
• Radiation Therapy - Radiation therapy is a thyroid cancer treatment that kills cancer cell with high energy x-rays. The radiation therapy can be categorised into two types - External Radiation Therapy and Internal Radiation Therapy.
• Chemotherapy - Chemotherapy is a drug based thyroid cancer treatment that is used to stop the growth of the cancer cells. The chemotherapy either kills the cells or stops them from further division.
• Thyroid Hormone Therapy - Hormone therapy is another type of thyroid cancer treatment that removes hormones or blocks their actions. This helps to stop cancer cells from further growing.
• Targeted Therapy - As name suggests, targeted therapy identify, target, and attack the cancer cells. This type of thyroid cancer treatment can be of different types including Tyrosine kinase Inhibitor therapy and Protein Kinase Inhibitor therapy.
• Watchful Waiting - In this type of treatment, the condition of the patient is closely monitored. No thyroid cancer treatment is given during observation until signs or symptoms appear to change.

Read More: Know How Health Insurance is Helpful for Thyroid Patients

Key Takeaways!

Thyroid cancer is a silent and complex disease that enters the body without any sign or symptom. With various treatment options, early check-ups, regular care and extra attention are crucial for effective management of thyroid cancer.

Ensure your financial protection and get extensive coverage with a cancer insurance policy. You can consider Care Cancer Mediclaim, which will pay for cancer related medical costs including hospitalisation, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, OPD, and other related expenses. For detailed information you can allow our experts to connect with you or visit the website.

Disclaimer: The above information is for reference purposes only. Kindly consult your general physician for verified medical advice. The health insurance benefits are subject to policy terms and conditions. Refer to your policy documents for more information.