Thyroid Cancer Treatment

With more than 500,000 cases diagnosed every year across the globe, thyroid cancer ranks 7th in the list of the most common cancers affecting females. Cancer is usually diagnosed in young people, especially those in their 30s. The incidence is also high amongst people who have crossed 60 years of age.

What is Thyroid Cancer?
Thyroid Cancer, as the name suggests, is cancer that originates within the Thyroid, an Endocrine Gland that regulates Metabolism, growth, and development. Thyroid Cancer is primarily classified into 4 types, i.e. Papillary Thyroid Cancer, Follicular Thyroid Cancer, Medullary Thyroid Cancer, and Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. The latter is highly aggressive and spreads within a couple of weeks. 

What are the symptoms of Thyroid Cancer?
Various symptoms that can point towards the possibility of Thyroid Cancer include:

• Development of a lump or mass on the neck
• Swelling and Pain in the Neck and areas around it
• Unexplained voice change
• Problems with swallowing food 
• Swelling in the lymph nodes

When should you see a Specialist?
It is advisable to see a specialist as soon as you detect any of the above-mentioned symptoms. All these just point towards the possibility of you having Thyroid Cancer but are not definitive. In order to confirm whether a patient has Thyroid Cancer or not, doctors perform some physical examinations and tests. The sooner you consult a specialist, your Prognosis would be quicker and you would have a better chance to overcome it.

What causes Thyroid Cancer? 
Thyroid Cancer is the result of certain mutations in the DNA of the thyroid cells that lead to their uncontrolled division. These unhealthy cells replace the healthy ones and bind together resulting in the formation of a Tumour. 

• Being a female
• Exposure to harmful radiation
• Inherited Genetic Syndromes 
• Being Obese 
• Family history of Thyroid Cancer
• Personal history of cancer 

Modalities used for the diagnosis of Thyroid Cancer 

• Physical examinations 
• Thyroid function test
• Ultrasound 
• Biopsy 
• CT scan (computerized tomography)
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

Treatment options available for Thyroid Cancer

• Surgery (procedures like Thyroidectomy, Thyroid Lobectomy, and Lymph node dissection)
• Hormone therapy 
• Radioactive Iodine Therapy 
• Targeted Drug Therapy
• Radiation Therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Radiofrequency Ablation
• Cryoablation