Cancerous Diseases

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Thyroid Cancer

Overview:

Thyroid cancer is a rare type of cancer that affects the thyroid gland.
Not every swelling in the neck means cancer, see your doctor to check it.
Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism does not increase the rate of cancer.
Consult your doctor before using any medication, and follow up with a specialist after recovery.
It is recommended to examine all family members if one of them developed the disease, for early detection and treatment.

Defining Cancer:

Cancer is a common term of tumors affecting nearly every part of the body, there are two types of cancer: benign tumors and malignant tumors (or what called cancerous tumors), and differentiation between them can be done through tissue examination (biopsy).

Thyroid Gland:

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the front of the neck that regulates blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, weight and other vital functions.

Defining Thyroid Gland Cancer:

Thyroid cancer is a rare type of cancer, and it is more common in the 30s and after the age of 60, and women are 2-3 times more likely to develop thyroid cancer than men.

Types of Thyroid Cancer:

Papillary thyroid cancer (the most common form of thyroid cancer).
Medullary thyroid cancer.
Anaplastic thyroid cancer.
Follicular thyroid cancer.
Hurthle cells tumor (very rare).

Causes:

Thyroid cancer occurs when cells in your thyroid undergo genetic changes (mutations). The mutations allow the cells to grow and multiply rapidly. It's not clear what causes thyroid cancer.

Symptoms:

A lump or swelling in the front of the neck.
Changes to your voice, including increasing hoarseness and difficulty speaking.
Neck pain.
Difficulty swallowing and breathing.

Diagnosis:

Physical exam.
Blood tests.
Removing a sample of thyroid tissue.
Other tests: CT scan.

Risk Factors:

Thyroid gland diseases such as: Goitre disease and thyroiditis.
Family history.
Exposure to high levels of radiation in childhood.

Treatment:

Surgical intervention.
Radiotherapy.
Chemotherapy.

Consult your doctor before using any medication, and follow up with the specialist after recovery

Prevention:

Avoid exposure to radiation as much as possible.

Perform early examination if you have:

Excessive exposure to radiation in childhood.
Family history (examine all family members).
Having goiter (an abnormal enlargement of your thyroid gland) or thyroiditis.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Do people with hoarse voice are more likely to have thyroid cancer?

No, the hoarse voice that suddenly appears may be a symptom rather than a causative factor.

Are thyroid cancer treatment results weak?

No, the results of thyroid cancer treatment are very good, and many people recover and live for a long time.

Misconceptions:

Only the elderly are at the risk of developing thyroid cancer.

Fact: All age groups are at the risk of developing thyroid cancer.

A tumor in the neck means you have thyroid cancer.

Fact: The presence of a tumor or swelling in the neck may be due to other health conditions such as colds or flu, but you should visit your doctor to check for other symptoms.