Thyroid cancer is a rare disease that occurs when malignant cells start to grow in the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck.
Thyroid cancer is more common in women than in men, and the risk of developing this disease increases with age.
Types of Thyroid Cancer
There are four main types of thyroid cancer:.
Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common type of thyroid cancer. It accounts for about 80% of all cases of thyroid cancer. This type of cancer develops from follicular cells in the thyroid gland, and it usually grows slowly.
Papillary thyroid cancer can spread to the lymph nodes in the neck, but it rarely spreads to other parts of the body.
Follicular Thyroid Cancer
Follicular thyroid cancer is less common than papillary thyroid cancer. It accounts for about 10% of all cases of thyroid cancer.
This type of cancer also develops from follicular cells in the thyroid gland, and it can spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs and bones.
Medullary Thyroid Cancer
Medullary thyroid cancer is rare, and it accounts for about 4% of all cases of thyroid cancer. This type of cancer develops from C cells in the thyroid gland, and it can spread to other parts of the body.
Medullary thyroid cancer can be inherited, and it is often associated with other endocrine tumors.
Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
Anaplastic thyroid cancer is the most aggressive form of thyroid cancer. It accounts for less than 2% of all cases of thyroid cancer, but it is responsible for most deaths related to this disease.
Anaplastic thyroid cancer develops from follicular cells in the thyroid gland, and it can spread rapidly to other parts of the body.
Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer can cause a variety of symptoms, including:.
- A lump or swelling in the neck
- Hoarseness or difficulty speaking
- Pain in the neck or throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
Diagnosis of Thyroid Cancer
To diagnose thyroid cancer, your doctor will perform a physical exam and order one or more tests, such as:.
- Ultrasound
- Biopsy
- Blood tests
- CT scan
- MRI
Treatment of Thyroid Cancer
The most common treatment for thyroid cancer is surgery to remove the thyroid gland. Depending on the type and stage of the cancer, your doctor may also recommend radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy.
Hormone therapy is often used after surgery to replace the hormones that were produced by the thyroid gland.
Prevention of Thyroid Cancer
There is no known way to prevent thyroid cancer. However, there are some factors that may increase your risk of developing this disease, such as:.
- Being a woman
- Being over the age of 40
- Exposure to high levels of radiation
- Family history of thyroid cancer
- Having certain inherited genetic syndromes
Conclusion
Thyroid cancer is a rare disease that affects mostly women. There are four main types of thyroid cancer, and each type has different characteristics and treatments.
If you experience any symptoms of thyroid cancer, it is important to see a doctor right away for diagnosis and treatment.