Thyroid cancer is the one that starts in the thyroid gland- located at the base of your neck. The thyroid gland regulates various bodily functions by producing hormones such as T3 and T4.
They regulate the metabolism of your body and other processes such as heart rate, blood pressure, weight, and body temperature. In cancer, the cells replicate uncontrollably. Therefore the hormone production may also be disrupted.
At first, thyroid cancer may not cause any symptoms. But as the gland may grow in size, it becomes painful. There are various forms of thyroid cancer. Some may grow slowly, and you can get rid of them through chemotherapy and radiation.
In this article, we will tell you about things you must know about thyroid cancer. If you have any symptoms of it, you must seek professional help. Your healthcare providers will perform various tests and a thyroid gland biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
Sometimes the symptoms of thyroid cancer may resemble that of hyperthyroidism. However, your healthcare provider can know about it with the help of tests they conduct. To get an expert opinion, you can visit the Endocrinologist in Lahore.
What Are The Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer?
Thyroid cancer may not cause symptoms initially. It may show up as the disease progresses. The common signs and symptoms of thyroid cancer are:
- A lump or nodule in the neck that is felt upon palpation
- Difficulty swallowing foods
- A change in voice can also cause hoarseness
- Pain in the throat and neck
- Swollen lymph nodes
What Are The Causes and Risk Factors For Thyroid Cancer?
There is no exact cause for thyroid cancer. But it occurs when a genetic mutation occurs in your cells. They cause your cells to grow and multiply rapidly.
When these cells replicate abnormally and accumulate at a place, it results in a tumor. Those abnormal cells can reach other organs too, a condition known as metastasis- when cancer spreads to other organs.
Factors that can put you at risk of developing thyroid cancer are:
Females are at more risk of getting thyroid cancer as compared to men. However, it is not that men will not get thyroid cancer.
Exposure To High Levels of Radiation
When you get long-term exposure to radiation due to some other cancer of the head, neck, or breast, the chances of thyroid cancer are increased for you.
Certain Inherited Genetic Syndrome
Certain genetic syndromes that are inherited in genes can increase the chances of thyroid cancer. They can happen due to conditions such as:
- familial medullary thyroid cancer
- multiple endocrine neoplasias
- Cowden’s syndrome
- familial adenomatous polyposis
What Are The Complications of Thyroid Cancer?
Even if you get the treatment for thyroid cancer and your thyroid gland is removed, some complications may occur. Sometimes, it happens that your thyroid gland is removed, but some cancerous cells are still there that can cause complications and recurrence of cancer. Thyroid cancer can recur in the following places:
Lymph nodes in the neck
Little pieces of thyroid tissue that are left behind during surgery
It can also recur in other organs, such as the lungs and bones
Even if thyroid cancer of throat recurs, it can be treat. Your healthcare providers will perform blood and other tests to keep an eye on if it recurs.
How Thyroid Cancer Can Be Prevent?
Until now, there is no such preventive tip for thyroid cancer. However, if a person is at increased risk of it, the healthcare providers may remove the thyroid gland beforehand- a procedure known as a thyroidectomy.
You should discuss your risks with a healthcare provider as they can decide based on the risk versus benefit ratio.
If you live near nuclear plants, tell your healthcare providers so they can manage well.
The Bottom Line
Thyroid cancer of throat can be treat with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. If you have any symptoms of thyroid cancer, you should visit the healthcare provider soon. You must not delay your visit to the healthcare provider. To get an expert opinion, you can consult an Endocrinologist in Karachi.