Thyroid cancer is one of the common diseases affecting the head, face, and neck in both males and females. It often does not exhibit clear symptoms, leading to silent metastasis to various other parts of the body. By the time the disease is detected, it is often in the advanced stages. Let’s explore more about this condition with Dr. K from Hospital K.
What is thyroid cancer?
Thyroid cancer occurs when normal cells in the thyroid gland transform into abnormal cells and grow without the body’s control. The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland located in the middle of the neck. It consists of two lobes connected by the isthmus and produces hormones that help with growth and development in the body (Figure 1).
There are different types of thyroid cancer, with the most common being papillary thyroid cancer. Other types include follicular and undifferentiated (anaplastic) thyroid cancer, with the latter having a worse prognosis. However, differentiated thyroid cancer, particularly papillary thyroid cancer, has a very good prognosis.
Figure 1: Anatomy of the thyroid gland and adjacent structures.
What are the risk factors leading to thyroid cancer?
Causes of thyroid cancer:
Immune system disorders
This is regarded as the primary cause of this dangerous disease. In healthy individuals, the immune system produces antibodies that help the body defend against harmful viruses and bacteria from the surrounding environment. When the immune system is disrupted, its function is weakened, creating an opportunity for harmful bacteria and viruses, including those that affect the thyroid gland, to attack the body. As a result, immune system disorders not only cause thyroid cancer but also provide favorable conditions for the formation and development of other serious diseases.
Radiation exposure
The body can be exposed to radiation from external sources when using radiation therapy to treat diseases or through internal exposure via the digestive and respiratory systems due to radioactive iodine.
Children are particularly sensitive to radiation, so parents should limit their children’s exposure to radiation sources to ensure their health and reduce the risk of disease.
Genetic factors
Studies have shown that approximately 70% of thyroid cancer patients have family members (parents, siblings, etc.) who have previously had the disease. However, currently, scientists have not been able to identify which genes lead to this hereditary transmission.
Age and hormonal changes
Patients with this disease are primarily in the age range of 30-50. Women have a higher risk, 2-4 times more than men. This difference is due to specific hormonal factors in women and the processes of pregnancy that stimulate the formation of thyroid nodules and enlargement. Additionally, after childbirth, many women experience postpartum thyroiditis, which is also caused by hormonal changes in the body and can lead to temporary hypothyroidism in women after pregnancy.
Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis
Patients with goiter, Graves’ disease, or chronic thyroid hormone disorders have a higher risk of developing thyroid cancer than others. Additionally, individuals who have previously experienced thyroiditis, even if successfully treated, are at a significantly increased risk of disease recurrence..
Apart from the mentioned causes of thyroid cancer, scientists have also identified many other factors that can contribute to the development of thyroid cancer, such as iodine deficiency, long-term alcohol consumption, smoking habits, overweight or obesity, and family history and genetics.
Symptoms of thyroid cancer
In the early stages, the disease usually does not produce noticeable symptoms. It can be detected during routine check-ups.
When thyroid cancer presents symptoms, you may typically feel a lump in the thyroid gland area (the neck region as shown in Figure 1). Additionally, other signs and symptoms of thyroid cancer include:
- Hoarseness
- Difficulty swallowing when the tumor presses on the esophagus
- Difficulty breathing when the tumor invades the trachea
- In later stages, you may feel swollen lymph nodes in the neck or experience symptoms of distant metastasis, such as bone pain in the case of bone metastasis.
These symptoms can be indicative of various other conditions besides thyroid cancer. However, if you experience these symptoms, it is advisable to seek medical attention at specialized healthcare facilities.
Diagnostic tests for thyroid cancer
Doctors may order several different types of tests to diagnose the disease, including:
- Imaging diagnostics, with ultrasound being the most commonly used. Ultrasound is a method that uses sound waves to create images of organs in the body, including the thyroid gland. Through ultrasound images, doctors can assess the malignancy level.
Fine-needle aspiration biopsy – the doctor uses a small needle to extract a sample of cells from the thyroid nodule, which is then examined under a microscope for diagnosis. This is a valuable method for distinguishing between benign and malignant tumors.
At what stage is your thyroid cancer? – Staging is how doctors determine the extent to which cancer cells have spread in your body. Depending on the type of thyroid cancer, the staging process may vary. However, in general, there are four stages of thyroid cancer, ranging from stage 1 to stage 4..
The choice of treatment method depends primarily on the type of cancer, the stage of the disease, your age, and other health conditions.
