Thyroid Cancer : Reasons, Symptoms And Types

Thyroid cancer occurs in the cells of the thyroid - a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck, just below your Adam's apple. Your thyroid produces hormones that control your heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and weight. Thyroid cancer may not cause any symptoms at first. But as it grows, it can cause pain and swelling in your neck.

Symptoms of thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer does not usually cause any symptoms or early symptoms of the disease. As thyroid cancer progresses, it may cause:

-  A lump (lump) that can be felt through the skin on your neck.

-  Changes in your voice, including increasing volume.

-  difficulty swallowing.

-  Pain in your neck and throat.

-  Swollen lymph nodes in your neck.

Causes of thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer occurs when cells in your thyroid undergo genetic changes (mutations). Mutations allow cells to grow and multiply rapidly. Cells also lose the ability to die, as normal cells do. The accumulated abnormal thyroid cells form a tumor. Abnormal cells can invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body (metastasize).

Types of thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer is classified based on the type of cells found in the tumor. Your type is determined when a sample of tissue from your cancer is examined under a microscope. The type of thyroid cancer is considered in your treatment and detection of the disease.

Types of thyroid cancer include -

Papillary thyroid cancer: The most common form of thyroid cancer, papillary thyroid cancer, originates from follicular cells, which produce and store thyroid hormones. Papillary thyroid cancer can occur at any age, but mostly it affects people between 30 and 50 years of age. Doctors sometimes refer to papillary thyroid cancer and follicular thyroid cancer as distinct thyroid cancers.

Follicular thyroid cancer: Follicular thyroid cancer also arises from follicular cells of the thyroid. It usually affects people over 50 years of age. Herthel cell cancer is a rare and potentially more aggressive type of follicular thyroid cancer.

Anaplastic thyroid cancer: Anaplastic thyroid cancer is a rare type of thyroid cancer that starts in follicular cells. It grows rapidly and is very difficult to treat. Anaplastic thyroid cancer usually occurs in adults 60 years and older.

Medullary thyroid cancer: Medullary thyroid cancer begins in thyroid cells called C cells, which produce the hormone calcitonin. Elevated calcitonin levels in the blood may indicate thyroid cancer in a very early stage. Some genetic syndromes increase the risk of medullary thyroid cancer, although this genetic link is uncommon.

Some rare types: Other very rare types of cancer that begin in the thyroid include thyroid lymphoma, which begins in the cells of the thyroid immune system and thyroid sarcoma, which begins in the connective tissue cells of the thyroid.

Risk Factors of Thyroid Cancer -

Factors that increase the risk of thyroid cancer include:

Female sex: Thyroid cancer occurs more frequently in women than men.

Exposure to high levels of radiation: Radiation therapy treatment on the head and neck increases the risk of thyroid cancer.

Some inherited genetic syndromes: Genetic syndromes that increase the risk of thyroid cancer include family marrow thyroid cancer, multiple endocrine neoplasia, Cowden syndrome, and familial adenomatous polyposis.

Thyroid cancer can return

Even if you have removed your thyroid, despite the treatment of complex thyroid cancer. This can happen when microscopic cancer cells spread before the thyroid. These can cause thyroid cancer again:

-         Lymph nodes in the neck.

-         Small pieces of thyroid tissue were left behind during surgery.

-         Other areas of the body, such as the lungs and bones.

The recurrence of thyroid cancer can be treated. Your doctor may recommend periodic blood tests or thyroid scans to check for signs of a thyroid cancer recurrence.