Thyroid Cancer

Overview

Every year there are 20,000 new thyroid cancer cases in the United States alone. Women are much more likely to develop thyroid cancer, at a rate of about 3 to 1. Thyroid cancer can occur at any age, but it seems to be most common among people thirty and older. It seems to be increasingly aggressive when it comes to older patients. Most patients with thyroid cancer have a thyroid nodule which does not actually cause any symptoms.

Types

There are four different types of thyroid cancer and some of them are much more common than others. Papillary and mixed papillary, or follicular thyroid cancer, makes up 78 percent of all instances of thyroid cancer. Follicular thyroid cancer, or hurthle cell thyroid cancer, is second in terms of how common it is at 17 percent of all occurrences. The next one is the medullary thyroid cancer at 4 percent and finally the anaplastic thyroid cancer that causes only 1 percent of all occurrences of thyroid cancer.

Symptoms

As much as 75 percent of all people with thyroid nodules will not have symptoms because their nodules are benign. People who do have thyroid cancer, on the other hand, may experience neck pain, hoarseness and enlargement in the lymph nodes. If you develop a thyroid nodule, it would be wise to consult a physician. Although most thyroid nodules are completely safe and harmless, there is a chance that developing a nodule on your thyroid gland is a sign of thyroid cancer.

Causes/Risk Factors

Just like with many other types of cancer, the exact cause of thyroid cancer is still currently unknown. It is thought that this cancer, like many others, has a hereditary element, though there is no concrete link between heredity and the development of this or any other type of cancer.

The following risk factors are associated with an increased chance of developing thyroid cancer:

• Radiation
• Family History
• Being Female
• Not Enough Iodine in the Diet

Tests/Diagnosis

Because most thyroid cancer diagnoses begin with the presence of a nodule on the thyroid gland, the most common way to diagnose the thyroid cancer is to insert a needle into the nodule. By looking at the contents of the nodule under a microscope the doctor can determine whether the tumor is benign or malignant. Although there are other ways to determine whether or not a nodule is malignant, this is the easiest in most circumstances.

Treatment

People with thyroid cancer should take an active part in making decisions about their medical care. Most thyroid cancers can be completely cured. The most common forms of thyroid cancer, namely the follicular thyroid cancer and papillary thyroid cancer, are the easiest to cure.

Surgery is the most common treatment for thyroid cancer. The physician may remove all or part of the thyroid. The type of surgery depends on the type and stage of thyroid cancer, the size of the nodule and the patient's age.

The most common types of surgeries include:

• Total Thyroidectomy
• Lobectomy