Learn About the Effects of Thyroid Cancer

The thyroid is one of the most crucial glands in the body. The thyroid is important because it’s responsible for creating hormones to help guide many of the body’s systems. These systems include digestion, metabolic rate, brain development, mood, muscle control and many more! Obviously, alterations to the thyroid can have wide reaching effects on the body. 

Thyroid cancer is one of the worst things that can happen to the thyroid. There are many different forms of thyroid cancer which can occur. Differentiation typically depends on which cells have the cancer start in. Like other forms of cancer, thyroid cancer can spread throughout the body if left untreated. However, if treated in time properly, then the outlook is much improved. 

Causes and Types of Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer is caused by cellular genetic mutations in the thyroid gland. These cells grow out of control and rapidly grow. These cells also live much longer than a normal thyroid cell would. This means it’s harder for people to 

There are several different types of thyroid cancer that can be contracted. The type that’s included will specifically alter what kind of treatment will be considered by the doctors. The types of thyroid cancer include: 

• Papillary Thyroid Cancer - Of all the forms of thyroid cancer, this is the most common. This cancer starts in the follicular cells that are responsible for the production and storage of hormones created in the thyroid. It’s most common in people between the age of 30 and the age of 50. This form of thyroid cancer is also known as differentiated thyroid cancer. 
• Follicular Thyroid Cancer - This starts in the same cells as papillary thyroid cancer, but it tends to affect people over the age of 50. There is also an aggressive form called Hurthle cell cancer. 
• Medullary Thyroid Cancer - This form of cancer begins in the C cells of the thyroid. It can be detected by blood tests fairly early during the cancer process. 
• Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer - This form is rather rare. It grows very quickly and aggressively. It is most common for adults who are over the age of 60. 
• Thyroid Lymphoma - This is another rare form of thyroid cancer. With thyroid lymphoma, it starts in the immune system cells. 

Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer

There are several symptoms of thyroid cancer which can be felt by people as it grows. Early on during the cancerous growth, it’s possible that no symptoms will be felt at all. Some of the symptoms that can potentially occur include: 

• Voice Changes - It’s very possible for the sound of the voice to change slightly. Voices often become very hoarse. 
• Pain - Pain is felt in the neck and throat regions. 
• Swelling - The lymph nodes can swell up in the neck and is a common sign of thyroid cancer. 
• Lumps - It’s possible to feel a lump in the neck near the thyroid gland. It can be quite distinctive. 
• Issues Swallowing - There can be trouble managing to swallow properly. It can feel very painful. 

Anyone showing symptoms should speak with their doctor as soon as they are capable of doing so. 

Treatment of Thyroid Cancer

The good news about thyroid cancer is that it is typically treatable. There are many different options which can be used overall. Most of them are surgical. A thyroidectomy results when the majority or all of the thyroid gland is removed. A surgeon will try to leave a small buffer of thyroid gland to avoid further complications. Other surgical procedure options include removing a portion of the thyroid or removing lymph nodes within the neck.

Some treatment can involve the use of radioactive iodine. It’s picked up by the thyroid cells, especially after a surgery. Hormone therapy is required after a thyroid is removed as well to replace the function of the removed thyroid. Other options that may be needed are chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, external radiation therapy and others.