The thyroid gland is a crucial part of the endocrine system, producing hormones that regulate metabolism, blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, and body weight. Thyroid cancer is on the rise in the United States, with symptoms including a lump in the throat, cough, hoarseness, and difficulty swallowing. Risk factors include family history, being a woman, history of breast cancer, and radiation exposure. Types of thyroid cancer include papillary, medullary, follicular, anaplastic, and lymphoma. Diagnosis involves physical exams, lab tests, ultrasounds, and biopsies. Early detection can lead to successful treatment and remission.
Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer
Early thyroid cancer may have no symptoms, but as it progresses, symptoms may include a lump in the throat, cough, hoarseness, and difficulty swallowing. Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck may also be a sign of thyroid cancer.
Risk Factors for Thyroid Cancer
Risk factors for thyroid cancer include family history, being a woman, history of breast cancer, and radiation exposure. Age is also a risk factor, with thyroid cancer most likely to occur after age 40.
Types of Thyroid Cancer and Incidence
Thyroid cancers are relatively uncommon and are classified based on the appearance of cancerous cells. The types of thyroid cancer include papillary, medullary, follicular, anaplastic, and lymphoma.
Diagnosing Thyroid Cancer
The presence of thyroid cancer can be revealed through physical exams and lab tests, including thyroid function tests, ultrasounds, thyroid scans, and biopsies.
Long-Term Outlook for Thyroid Cancer Patients
Early detection and treatment of thyroid cancer can lead to successful remission, although some types have a higher rate of recurrence. Routine follow-up appointments are crucial for monitoring recurrence and thyroid hormone levels.
Prevention of Thyroid Cancer
For most cases, the cause of thyroid cancer is unknown, making prevention difficult. However, hereditary cases of medullary thyroid cancer can be identified through genetic counseling. Regular checkups and reporting new symptoms to a doctor can aid in early detection of serious health complications.
