The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped gland that is located in the front of your neck. It has many blood vessels and many nerves that pass through it. It is an important gland in your body. “The thyroid’s job is to make thyroid hormones, which are secreted into the blood and then carried to every tissue in the body. Thyroid hormone helps the body use energy, stay warm and keep the brain, heart, muscles, and other organs working as they should” (“ATA”). “It influences metabolism, growth, and development” (“WMD”). Thyroxine, also called T4, is the main hormone in the thyroid.
Thyroid cancer occurs when the cells in your thyroid go through changes. The changes allow cells to grow and multiply. These abnormal cells form a tumor. “The abnormal cells can invade nearby tissue and can spread throughout the body” (“Staff”). “According to the National Cancer Institute, there are about 56,000 new cases of thyroid cancer in the US each year. Thyroid cancer can occur in any age group, although it is most common after age 30, and its aggressiveness increases significantly in older patients. Thyroid cancer does not always cause symptoms; often, the first sign of thyroid cancer is a thyroid nodule” (“Norman). Thyroid cancer is usually treatable and often can be cured. The prognosis for patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer is usually very good. There are no specific causes of thyroid cancer and it cannot be prevented. Risk factors include age; exposure to radiation of the head, neck, or chest; exposure to high levels of radiation; being female or being Asian. “A family history of thyroid disease, thyroid cancer, Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia, or other inherited medical conditions also puts you at risk for thyroid cancer. If you have a family history of Medullary Thyroid Cancer, a rare type of thyroid cancer, you can get a genetic test to look for a specific gene because you can inherit the gene and can increase your risk” (“WMD”). “In the event of a nuclear disaster, you can protect yourself from developing thyroid cancer by taking potassium iodide. This prevents the absorption of radioactive iodine and has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of thyroid cancer” (“ATA”). Some individuals have no symptoms, while others may have a lump or swelling in the neck; pain in the neck or ears; trouble swallowing or breathing; constant wheezing; voice may be hoarse; or a frequent cough. The development of thyroid nodules are not uncommon, as we age, however, most of them are benign. Fewer than 1% of all thyroid nodules are malignant. “Thyroid tests such as TSH are usually normal even when a cancer is present. The best way to find thyroid cancer is to make sure that your thyroid gland does not have nodules and is not enlarged. Neck examination by your doctor is the best way to do that. Often, thyroid nodules are discovered incidentally on imaging tests like CT scans and neck ultrasound done for completely unrelated reasons” (“ATA”). A medical history and a physical exam are important in diagnosing thyroid cancer. The doctor might check your vocal cords, or obtain ultrasound images as a simple way to find out if a nodule is solid or fluid filled. It can detect multiple nodules and abnormal lymph nodes. Bloodwork, such as TSH, serum calcitonin, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) could help detect thyroid cancer. Also, a fine needle biopsy of the thyroid gland is common. This is …show more content…
Follicular carcinoma is considered more malignant than papillary carcinoma. Its peak onset is between the ages of 40-60. It occurs more common in females than in males. There is the potential for spread to the lungs, bone, brain, liver and bladder.
Medullary thyroid cancer is the third most common type of thyroid cancer and makes up about 3% of all thyroid cancer. Medullary thyroid cancer originates from the parafollicular cells (also called C cells) of the thyroid. This type has a lower cure rate than papillary and follicular and it can be associated with other endocrine tumors. It is more common in females than in males. It spreads to lymph nodes early and distant organs (liver, bone and adrenal medulla) late. Certain genetic syndromes can increase the risk of medullary thyroid
Thyroid cancer occurs when the cells in your thyroid go through changes. The changes allow cells to grow and multiply. These abnormal cells form a tumor. “The abnormal cells can invade nearby tissue and can spread throughout the body” (“Staff”). “According to the National Cancer Institute, there are about 56,000 new cases of thyroid cancer in the US each year. Thyroid cancer can occur in any age group, although it is most common after age 30, and its aggressiveness increases significantly in older patients. Thyroid cancer does not always cause symptoms; often, the first sign of thyroid cancer is a thyroid nodule” (“Norman). Thyroid cancer is usually treatable and often can be cured. The prognosis for patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer is usually very good. There are no specific causes of thyroid cancer and it cannot be prevented. Risk factors include age; exposure to radiation of the head, neck, or chest; exposure to high levels of radiation; being female or being Asian. “A family history of thyroid disease, thyroid cancer, Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia, or other inherited medical conditions also puts you at risk for thyroid cancer. If you have a family history of Medullary Thyroid Cancer, a rare type of thyroid cancer, you can get a genetic test to look for a specific gene because you can inherit the gene and can increase your risk” (“WMD”). “In the event of a nuclear disaster, you can protect yourself from developing thyroid cancer by taking potassium iodide. This prevents the absorption of radioactive iodine and has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of thyroid cancer” (“ATA”). Some individuals have no symptoms, while others may have a lump or swelling in the neck; pain in the neck or ears; trouble swallowing or breathing; constant wheezing; voice may be hoarse; or a frequent cough. The development of thyroid nodules are not uncommon, as we age, however, most of them are benign. Fewer than 1% of all thyroid nodules are malignant. “Thyroid tests such as TSH are usually normal even when a cancer is present. The best way to find thyroid cancer is to make sure that your thyroid gland does not have nodules and is not enlarged. Neck examination by your doctor is the best way to do that. Often, thyroid nodules are discovered incidentally on imaging tests like CT scans and neck ultrasound done for completely unrelated reasons” (“ATA”). A medical history and a physical exam are important in diagnosing thyroid cancer. The doctor might check your vocal cords, or obtain ultrasound images as a simple way to find out if a nodule is solid or fluid filled. It can detect multiple nodules and abnormal lymph nodes. Bloodwork, such as TSH, serum calcitonin, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) could help detect thyroid cancer. Also, a fine needle biopsy of the thyroid gland is common. This is …show more content…
Follicular carcinoma is considered more malignant than papillary carcinoma. Its peak onset is between the ages of 40-60. It occurs more common in females than in males. There is the potential for spread to the lungs, bone, brain, liver and bladder.
Medullary thyroid cancer is the third most common type of thyroid cancer and makes up about 3% of all thyroid cancer. Medullary thyroid cancer originates from the parafollicular cells (also called C cells) of the thyroid. This type has a lower cure rate than papillary and follicular and it can be associated with other endocrine tumors. It is more common in females than in males. It spreads to lymph nodes early and distant organs (liver, bone and adrenal medulla) late. Certain genetic syndromes can increase the risk of medullary thyroid