Thyroid cancer

Thyroid Cancer

(Thyroid Cancer)

The thyroid gland is shaped like a butterfly and is located in the middle of the neck, just below the vocal cords. It produces thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone has an effect on almost all tissues of the body, regulating metabolism. The metabolism is the use of the food that is consumed or of the energy stored in the organism. Metabolism affects heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and weight.

Thyroid cancer occurs when the cells of the thyroid gland become abnormal ( mutate ). This mutation causes the abnormal cells to develop and multiply rapidly. These cells do not die in the same way as normal cells. The accumulation of these abnormal cells forms the cancerous tumor.

There are four main types of thyroid cancer.

1.      Papillary carcinoma It is the least aggressive of the types of thyroid cancer. It generally affects women of childbearing age. It can be a consequence of exposure to radiation.

2.      Follicular cancer Follicular cancer: constitutes about 20% of all cases of thyroid cancer and is more likely to recur (come back after treatment) and spread.

3.      Medullary cancer Although most are not transmitted by genes to family members ( genetic cause ), this type of cancer can be hereditary. If the members of your family have this gene, you can be evaluated. It appears in people who have the gene.

4.      Anaplastic cancer. It is the rarest and most aggressive ( malignant ) of thyroid cancer types. It quickly spreads to other structures such as the trachea and causes compression and breathing difficulties. He is such an aggressive guy that it is very difficult to eliminate him completely. It is the most frequent in people over 65 years.

RISK FACTOR'S

RISK FACTOR'S

·         Exposure to radiation or treatments with radiation in the head and neck during childhood.

·         Enlargement of the thyroid.

·         Family history of thyroid disease.

·         Female sex

·         Asian race

SYMPTOM

·         Enlargement of the thyroid or ganglia, or swelling in the neck.

·         Hoarseness or changes in the voice.

·         Cough or spit blood when coughing.

·         Difficulty to swallow.

·         Fata of air if the trachea is compressed.

DIAGNOSIS

The doctor will examine the thyroid. If you find a lump, it will show you an ultrasound or a special study. The doctor may order blood tests to see if the lump in the thyroid produces a lot of thyroid hormone. In some cases, a biopsy is indicated. In this case, a small piece of tissue will be removed for examination by a specialist (pathologist) under a microscope. It is usually carried out with a very fine needle. The pathologist can tell if the tissue sample contains cancer cells.

TREATMENT

Some types of thyroid cancer grow faster than others. The possibility of recovery depends on the type if it is located only in the thyroid or has spread to other parts of the body, the age of the patient and the general state of health. The majority of these tumors can be treated successfully.

The treatment for most types of thyroid cancer involves the removal of the thyroid gland ( thyroidectomy ). In some cases, it will be necessary to remove the lymph nodes found in the neck, near the thyroid. It is usually necessary to perform control procedures to make sure that all the malignant tumor has been eliminated and to prevent it from coming back.

 These procedures can be:

·         Thyroid hormone therapy It is done by administering a medication. This medicine has two purposes:

o    It replaces the hormone normally produced by the thyroid.

o    It suppresses the thyroid-stimulating hormone, a hormone that activates the thyroid because it also causes any cancer cells that are left to develop.

 o   Treatment with radioactive iodine. This treatment is done to destroy any remaining thyroid tissue and cancerous tissue that can not be seen and that has not been removed during thyroidectomy. This treatment can also be used to treat thyroid cancer that has spread to other parts of the body or has recurred.

 o   External radiation. It is usually used to treat thyroid cancer that spreads to the bones. This treatment is administered for a few minutes per day, 5 days a week, for 5 or 6 weeks.

PREVENTION

In some people who have the gene related to spinal cancer, thyroidectomy is done to prevent the development of cancer.

Document Released: 04/05/2010 Document Revised: 11/03/2013

ExitCare® Patient Information © 2015 ExitCare, LLC. This information is not intended to replace the advice given to you by your healthcare provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your healthcare provider.

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