Thyroid Cancer Tips

Thyroid cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the thyroid gland. Thyroid neoplasm or thyroid cancer usually refers to any of four kinds of malignant tumors of the thyroid gland: papillary, follicular, medullary or anaplastic. As thyroid cancer can take up iodine, radioactive iodine is commonly used to treat thyroid carcinomas, followed by TSH suppression by high-dose thyroxine therapy.



There are four main types of thyroid cancer:
• Papillary thyroid cancer: The most common type of thyroid cancer.
• Follicular thyroid cancer.
• Medullary thyroid cancer.
• Anaplastic thyroid cancer.

Age, gender, and exposure to radiation can affect the risk of developing thyroid cancer.

Risk factors for thyroid cancer include the following:
• Having a history of goiter (enlarged thyroid).
• Having a family history of thyroid disease or thyroid cancer.

A test has been developed that can find the changed gene before medullary thyroid cancer appears. Thyroid cancer may not cause early symptoms. Tests that examine the thyroid, neck, and blood are used to detect (find) and diagnose thyroid cancer. A thyroid tumor may press on vocal cords. The blood may be checked for abnormal levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). It stimulates the release of thyroid hormone and controls how fast follicular thyroid cells grow. Radioactive iodine scan (RAI scan): A procedure to find areas in the body where thyroid cancer cells may be dividing quickly.

Radioactive iodine (RAI) is used because only thyroid cells take up iodine. A very small amount of RAI is swallowed, travels through the blood, and collects in thyroid tissue and thyroid cancer cells anywhere in the body. Abnormal thyroid cells take up less iodine than normal thyroid tissue. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid: The removal of thyroid tissue using a thin needle. Because the type of thyroid cancer can be hard to diagnose, patients should ask to have biopsy samples checked by a pathologist who has experience diagnosing thyroid cancer.

Because the type of thyroid cancer can be hard to diagnose, patients should ask to have biopsy samples checked by a pathologist who has experience diagnosing thyroid cancer.Micrograph of a lymph node with papillary thyroid carcinoma.Most often the first symptom of thyroid cancer is a nodule in the thyroid region of the neck. However, many adults have small nodules in their thyroids.

Measurement of thyroid stimulating hormone and anti-thyroid antibodies will help decide if there is a functional thyroid disease such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis present, a known cause of a benign nodular goiter.The possibility of a nodule which secretes thyroid hormone (which is less likely to be cancer) or hypothyroidism is investigated by measuring thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).After thyroid cancer has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out if cancer cells have spread within the thyroid or to other parts of the body.

More Info About Thyroid Cancer is here