Thyroid Cancer is a disease that forms in the thyroid gland. It is located in the lower area of the neck. Thyroid cancer is rare, but we have been seeing more cases in recent years. This disease usually starts in one of the lobes of the thyroid gland.
In the United States, Caucasians are diagnosed more often with this disease than any other ethnic background. Specifically, middle-aged caucasian women are most at risk.
Like many other cancers, there are multiple subclasses of thyroid cancer. Papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic thyroid. Papillary thyroid is the most common thyroid of all the others mentioned. It makes up 80% of all thyroid cases. This thyroid starts in the follicular cells of the thyroid gland. These cells usually regulate the metabolism which is produced through the thyroid hormones.
Papillary thyroid cancer grows slowly in the body tissue. It is not typically shown in the early stages due to it being asymptomatic. When symptoms do begin to show, the first is typically swollen lymph nodes, which spread in the neck area causing it to become swollen. This can make it difficult to breath and swallow causing most people to seek a doctor.
Ultrasounds are used to see the nodules in the neck area and assess their characteristics. Also, you can do the fine needle aspiration biopsy which samples your thyroid tissue to check for cancer cells. This will give patients a clear analysis of their health and further recommendations to counter sickness.
Surgery is the first step of treatment for papillary thyroid. The doctor specifically removes the thyroid gland in the body tissue. The degree of the surgery is based on the size and spread of the tumor. After the patient undergoes this process, they then undergo radioactive iodine therapy. This will ensure the removal of any cells forming the papillary thyroid again. It can also identify any small cancerous cells that were not shown.
Papillary thyroid cancer treatment typically results in a very favorable recovery rate of 85%. If you would like to make an appointment or learn more, visit our website.
