Thyroid cancer accounts for 3% of all cancers. Studies show that 586,000 new patients were diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2020. While the incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing every year, it occurs more frequently in women than in men. Prof. from Medstar Antalya Hospital Medical Oncology Department. Dr. Ayşegül Kargı told what should be known about thyroid cancer.
The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland located in the front of the neck, and the thyroid is a butterfly-shaped organ. The thyroid gland secretes thyroid hormone and gives it to the blood. Thyroid hormones are hormones that regulate blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature and metabolism. Thyroid cancer develops as a result of the formation of cancerous cells in the tissues of the thyroid gland. Although the exact cause is unknown; Genetic mutations, insufficient iodine intake and exposure to high radiation increase the incidence of thyroid cancer.
Thyroid cancer symptoms may include:
- Swelling in the thyroid gland
- Gland growth
- Hoarseness due to swelling of the thyroid
- difficulty swallowing
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
Modern imaging methods are used for accurate diagnosis
Ultrasound and scintigraphic methods are used as imaging methods in diagnosis. Irregular borders of the nodular lesion on ultrasound, microcalcification, hypoechoic appearance, and extensive vascularization suggest the possibility of thyroid cancer. The diagnosis of cancer should be confirmed by biopsy. Subsequently, PET CT is used to detect the spread in the body.
Thyroid cancer types are as follows;
Papillary thyroid cancer: Approximately 80% of thyroid cancers are papillary thyroid cancers. The most common cause of papillary thyroid cancer is exposure to radiation in childhood. It often spreads via the lymphatic route.
Follicular thyroid cancer: It constitutes 5-10% of thyroid cancers. It is usually seen in areas with insufficient iodine intake. Its incidence decreased with increasing iodine intake. Distant metastases are seen in 10-15% of patients.
Medullary thyroid cancer: It is a neuroendocrine tumor originating from the parafollicular cells of the thyroid. It is seen at a rate of 2-5%. It is 25% familial genetically transmitted.
Anaplastic thyroid cancer: It constitutes 1% of all thyroid cancers. It progresses very rapidly, it is usually seen over 60 years of age. Lung metastases are most common.
After surgery, the patient is given thyroid hormone therapy.
The first treatment method after diagnosis is surgery. Depending on the condition of the cancer in the thyroid gland, sometimes a part of the gland or sometimes the entire gland and the surrounding lymph nodes are removed. Radioactive iodine treatment is applied in patients with a high risk of recurrence after an imaging is performed again. Thyroid hormone therapy is given to the patient to compensate for the hormone loss due to the removal of the thyroid gland.
Source: (BYZHA) – Beyaz News Agency
