Thyroid cancer
Thyroid cancer starts in the thyroid gland. It generates hormones that regulate metabolism (the process by which your body uses energy). Thyroid hormones also regulate the body’s temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate. Thyroid cancer, being endocrine, often has a high cure rate. It’s categorized according to the kind of cell from which it originates: anaplastic, medullary, follicular, or papillary.
At ILS Hospitals, thyroid cancer treatment is personalized, utilizing a combination of surgery, radioactive iodine therapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy. Our expert endocrinologists and oncologists use advanced diagnostic tools like ultrasound, fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy, and CT scans to accurately diagnose and stage thyroid cancer. Based on the type and stage of the cancer, we create tailored treatment plans focused on improving survival rates and quality of life. We ensure comprehensive, compassionate care throughout every stage of thyroid cancer treatment.
Symptoms
If the cancer has spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body, the following symptoms are present:
- Tiredness.
- Loss of appetite.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Unexpected weight loss.
Causes
The exact cause of the disease is unknown. Certain variables, including radiation exposure, a low-iodine diet, and defective genes, can raise risk. Other risk factors are:
- Enlarged thyroid (goitre).
- Family history of thyroid disease or thyroid cancer.
- Thyroiditis (inflammation of your thyroid gland).
- Gene mutations (changes) that cause endocrine diseases, such as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) or type 2B (MEN2B) syndrome.
- Low iodine intake.
- Obesity (high body mass index).
- Radiation therapy for head and neck cancer, especially during childhood.
- Exposure to radioactive fallout from nuclear weapons or a power plant accident.
Diagnosis
Depending on the symptoms (which include enlarged thyroid nodules or other signs of cancer), we recommend imaging scans, biopsies, radioiodine scans, or blood testing.
Stages of thyroid cancer
We use a staging method to evaluate whether and how far thyroid cancer has spread. Cancer cells in your thyroid typically metastasize to neighbouring structures and lymph nodes first, followed by spreading to distant lymph nodes, organs, or bones. Thyroid cancer stages range from I to IV; the greater the number, the further the cancer has spread.
Treatment
Treatments for thyroid cancer depend on the tumor size and its spread. Some of them include:
- Surgery: Surgery is the most common treatment for thyroid cancer. Depending on the size and location of the tumor, our surgeon may remove part of your thyroid gland (lobectomy) or the entire gland (thyroidectomy). The surgeon will also remove any surrounding lymph nodes where cancer cells have spread.
- Radioiodine therapy: We recommend this procedure owing to its high safety. The thyroid gland absorbs the majority of the radioiodine, and the rest of your body is exposed to very little radiation.
- Radiation therapy: Radiation destroys cancer cells and prevents their development. We use this method to deliver powerful beams of energy directly to the tumor location.
- Chemotherapy: Intravenous or oral chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells and stop their growth. Very few people diagnosed with thyroid cancer will ever need chemotherapy.
- Hormone therapy: This treatment blocks the release of hormones that can cause cancer to spread or come back.
