The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the base of the neck, just above the collarbone. It is responsible for regulating hormones, which help normal functioning of the different systems in your body, such as your heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and weight.
Thyroid cancer develops from a genetic mutation, which makes the thyroid cells multiply and grow uncontrollably. This article will discuss the most common types of thyroid cancer, early signs and symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options.
Types
The types of thyroid cancer include three major categories:
- Differentiated Thyroid Cancer – The most common type of thyroid cancer develops from thyroid follicular cells. Approximately 80% of cases are Papillary cancer, which is slow-growing, often spreading to the lymph nodes in the neck, with a good prognosis. Follicular cancer makes up ~10% of cases, is more commonly seen in those with inadequate iodine intake, and has a less ideal prognosis compared to papillary cancer. Last is Hürthle cell cancer, which is rarer (~3%) and more difficult to diagnose and treat.
- Medullary Thyroid Cancer (MTC) – This type develops from C-cells of the thyroid gland, accounts for ~4% of cases, and is separated into two types: sporadic (non-genetic) and familial (genetic). Sporadic MTC occurs mainly in older adults and affects only one thyroid lobe, while Familial MTC develops in childhood or early adulthood and can spread quickly.
- Anaplastic Carcinoma – Quite rare (~2%), highly aggressive, and difficult to treat. The cancer cells look very different than normal thyroid cells, and it often spreads quickly to the neck and other parts of the body.
Early Signs and Symptoms
Thyroid cancer often does not show symptoms initially or it may be mistaken for another, less serious illness. An unusual and/or painful lump in the neck is generally the first sign as the cancer grows. Other signs and symptoms include:
- Persistent hoarseness or other voice changes
- Trouble swallowing
- Trouble breathing
- Constant cough that is not due to a cold
Causes and Risk Factors
The cause of thyroid cancer is unknown, but there are some risk factors that increase a person’s chance of developing the disease. The most common risk factors include:
- Female (three times more likely to get it than males)
- Having a family member who has had thyroid disease
- Inherited genetic syndromes
- Radiation treatments to your head and/or neck
- Diet that is too high or too low in iodine
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the type and stage of the cancer, whether the tumor has spread, and the patient’s general health. Doctors will choose the optimal treatments for each individual case.
Options include:
- Surgery to remove the tumour
- Thyroid hormone replacement therapy to help slow growth of remaining cancer cells, normally alongside surgical interventions.
- Radioactive iodine therapy to find and destroy thyroid cells that were not removed by surgery.
- External-beam radiation therapy, which involves a machine that delivers high-energy x-rays to specific points in the body.
- Chemotherapy drugs to kill cancer cells, usually infused through a vein.
Thyroid cancer has a relatively good prognosis rate, however it is important that it is treated as early as possible. If you have any of these signs or symptoms, please consult a doctor immediately.