The main sign of thyroid cancer is the presence of a lump or swelling of the neck, which can be detected through self-examination. Other symptoms include difficulty swallowing, persistent cough, hoarseness, or change in voice that does not go away. However, most people with thyroid cancer have no symptoms.
Thyroid cancer mainly affects women with more than 35 years. Although it also affects men, the tumor is about 4 times more frequent in women.
The main risk factors for developing the disease are family history thyroid cancer and the exposure to radiation, especially during childhood or adolescence.
Often the thyroid cancer symptoms go unnoticed or are mistaken for other diseases. Therefore, more than half of the cases of malignant tumors in the thyroid are detected at an advanced stage.
If diagnosed early, thyroid cancer has a cure. The diagnosis is made by inserting a thin needle into the lump to remove material that is analyzed under a microscope.
Thyroid cancer treatment may include surgery, radioactive iodine therapy, external radiation, and chemotherapy. Treatment options depend on the type of tumor and the occurrence of metastasis (spread of cancer to other parts of the body).
At surgery, usually the entire thyroid gland is removed, in addition to the altered lymph nodes that are close to the site. After removal of the thyroid, the person should take thyroid hormone (tablets) continuously for good.
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In therapy with radioactive iodine, a small dose of radioactive iodine is applied to destroy tissue that has not been removed in the operation. This treatment also serves to combat cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
THE external radiation serves to destroy diseased cells and decrease the tumor. This treatment is especially suitable for cases of advanced thyroid cancer where surgery can not be performed.
Already the chemotherapy is the use of specific drugs to eliminate tumor cells.
The diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer is the responsibility of the endocrinologist and / or specialist head and neck surgeon.
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