Thyroid Cancer Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

What Is Thyroid Cancer?

Thyroid cancer is a cancer originating from follicular or parafollicular thyroid cells. These cells give rise to both well-differentiated cancers (papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and follicular thyroid cancer (FTC))and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), whose anaplastic cells are poorly differentiated.
The thyroid is responsible of producing hormones which regulate the heart rate, temperature, blood pressure and weight. In thyroid cancer, the thyroid is not able to perform its functions efficiently.
As time progresses, the diagnosis of thyroid cancer are increasing steadily, mainly in the USA, This may be due development in technology, which has made detection of thyroid cancers easier.
Depending on severity of the cancer, thyroid can be effectively treated. However, there is a chance that the cancer may recur. Generally, thyroid cancer recurs during the first five years after the treatment.

Causes Of Thyroid Cancer:

Although it is not clear what causes thyroid cancer, it is thought to be related to a number of environmental and genetic factors.
Environmental exposure to ionizing radiation, both from natural background source or artificial source, play an integral part in the development of cancer.
Thyroid cancers are thought to be related to a number of environmental and genetic predisposing factors, but significant uncertainty remains regarding its causes.
Genetic factors include multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, which increases rates of the rarer types of thyroid cancer.
All in all, thyroid cancer occurs when the cells of the thyroid undergo genetic mutations. Such mutations causes the cells to grow uncontrollably, which ultimately leads to formation of tumors. Such cells can overpower nearby tissue and can spread throughout the body of the affected individual.

Possible factors for thyroid cancer may include:

having a benign thyroid condition
having a family history of thyroid cancer
having a bowel condition known as familial adenomatous polyposis
acromegaly
having a previous benign breast condition
being female

Symptoms Of Thyroid Cancer:

Initially, thyroid cancer does not cause any symptom. As the cancer progresses, the following symptoms may be exhibited:

A lump that can be felt through the skin on the neck
Developing a hoarse voice
Difficulty swallowing
Pain in neck and throat
Swollen lymph nodes in neck

Diagnosis Of Thyroid Cancer:

Thyroid cancer may be diagnosed via the following:

Physical exam.
Blood tests, to help determine if the thyroid gland is functioning normally.
Removing a sample of thyroid tissue.
Fine needle biopsy followed by an ultrasound.
Imaging tests.
CT scan
PET scan
Genetic testing.

Treatment Of Thyroid Cancer:

Possible treatment option include:

Surgery
To remove the entire thyroid
To remove lymph nodes
To remove part of the thyroid
Thyroid hormone therapy
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Injecting alcohol in cancer

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