Thyroid cancer is cancer that attacks the thyroid gland. Thyroid cancer will cause the growth of cells in the thyroid gland to become uncontrolled. One of the thyroid diseases that can increase the risk of thyroid cancer is goiter.
Thyroid cancer is a rare disease. Patients with thyroid cancer often do not feel any symptoms at first. If the size of the thyroid gland is large enough, you can see a lump or swelling in the front of the neck.
Thyroid Cancer Symptoms
Thyroid cancer rarely causes symptoms at first. However, as cells and tissues grow, a lump will appear at the front of the neck. The lump is not easy to move, feels tight, does not hurt, and grows quickly.
In addition to a lump in the neck, there are several other symptoms that appear after the cancer has entered an advanced stage, including:
- Cough
- Pain in the neck
- Sore throat
- Hoarseness that doesn't improve after a few weeks
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Difficult to swallow
- Difficult to breathe
If the cancer cells increase the production of thyroid hormone, thyroid cancer will cause hyperthyroidism which has symptoms such as palpitations, hand tremors or shaking, weight loss, restlessness, irritability, easy sweating, hair loss, and diarrhea.
When to go to the doctor
Check with your doctor if you experience the complaints or symptoms mentioned above.
Call your doctor right away if you notice a lump in the front of your neck, especially if the lump is growing rapidly or making it difficult for you to breathe.
You are also advised to have regular check-ups with your doctor if you have a history of thyroid disease or are undergoing radiotherapy, especially in the neck.
Causes of Thyroid Cancer
The exact cause of thyroid cancer is still unknown. However, this condition is thought to be caused by a genetic mutation. Genetic mutations will make the growth of thyroid gland cells become uncontrolled and damage the surrounding tissue.
Although the cause of thyroid cancer is not known, there are several factors that are known to increase the risk of developing this condition, including:
- Having thyroid diseaseA person who suffers from thyroid disease, such as inflammation of the thyroid gland (thyroiditis) and goiter, is more at risk of developing thyroid cancer.
- Have a history of radiation exposureRadiation exposure experienced during childhood, for example during radiotherapy, will also increase the risk of developing thyroid cancer.
- have rhistory thyroid cancer in the familyThe risk of thyroid cancer will increase if someone has a family who has had this cancer.
- Suffer genetic disorder certainSome genetic disorders, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), multiple endocrine neoplasia, and Cowden syndrome, can also increase the risk of developing thyroid cancer.
- Female genderWomen are known to be more susceptible to this disease than men.
- Have certain medical conditionsThere are several medical conditions that can increase the risk of developing thyroid cancer, including acromegaly and obesity.
Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis
The doctor will ask the patient's complaints and symptoms, the patient's medical history, and the history of the disease in the patient's family.
Next, the doctor will perform a physical examination, especially in the neck to check for lumps or swelling in that area.
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will perform supporting examinations in the form of:
- Blood tests, to determine the levels of thyroid hormones, such as T3, T4, and TSH in the blood.
- Biopsy, to determine whether the thyroid gland is cancerous or not and to identify the type of cell that is malignant.
- Scans with ultrasound, CT Scan, and MRI, to identify lumps in the neck and the presence or absence of spread (metastasis) of thyroid cancer to other parts of the body.
- Scanning with a PET scan, to find out whether the cancer has spread or not.
- Genetic test, to identify genetic disorders that may be associated with or cause thyroid cancer.
Stages of development of thyroid cancer
Based on the type of cells that turn malignant, thyroid cancer can be divided into 4 types, namely papillary (the most common type), follicular, medullary, and anaplastic. If divided by stage and stage of development, thyroid cancer can be divided into 4 stages based on the TNM classification (tumor, nodule, and metastasis).
Thyroid Cancer Treatment
If the patient is confirmed to have thyroid cancer, the doctor will immediately provide treatment according to the type and stage of the cancer suffered by the patient. The following are some treatment steps to treat thyroid cancer:
- Thyroidectomy surgery
Thyroid surgery is performed to remove the thyroid gland, either partially (hemithyroidectomy) or completely (total thyroidectomy). Selection of the type of surgery will be adjusted to the type and size of thyroid cancer, as well as whether the cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body.
- Hormone replacement therapy
Thyroid hormone replacement therapy is given to patients undergoing total thyroidectomy, because if the thyroid gland is removed completely, thyroid hormone production will automatically stop.
After total thyroidectomy, hormone replacement therapy needs to be given for life. Regular blood tests also need to be done to monitor thyroid hormone levels in the body and adjust the dose of thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
- Calcium level regulation
Surgical removal of the thyroid gland often affects the parathyroid glands, which are located close to the thyroid gland. This will affect the level of calcium in the blood.
Therefore, after surgical removal of the thyroid will be monitored levels of calcium in the blood. If necessary, regular calcium supplementation will be given.
- Radioactive iodine therapy
This treatment works to destroy cancer cells in the thyroid gland. This therapy also aims to prevent cancer cells from appearing again after undergoing surgery.
- Radiotherapy
In this procedure, a device that emits radioactivity is directed at the thyroid gland. This treatment is usually done to treat advanced thyroid cancer or anaplastic thyroid cancer.
- Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy drugs are usually given to treat anaplastic thyroid cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
Thyroid Cancer Complications
Cancer cells can have spread (metastasize). Thyroid cancer metastases can occur in several parts of the body, such as the lungs, bones, and brain.
In addition, the growth of thyroid cancer can cause other complications, namely injury to the vocal cords and difficulty breathing.
Thyroid Cancer Prevention
Thyroid cancer cannot be prevented. However, it is recommended that you have regular check-ups if you have thyroid disease or have been exposed to radiation.
In addition, to reduce the risk of developing thyroid cancer, you are recommended to eat a nutritionally balanced diet and maintain an ideal body weight.