What is Thyroid cancer ?

Thyroid cancer is a malignancy of the thyroid has 4 types: papillary, follicular, anaplastic, or medullary. Cancer rarely causes enlargement of the gland, more often causes a small growth (nodules) within the gland. Most are benign thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer is usually curable.

Thyroid cancer often limits the ability to limit the ability to absorb iodine and produce thyroid hormone, but sometimes cancer produce enough thyroid hormone, causing hyperthyroidism.

Tend to be malignant thyroid nodules when:
- Only found one
- Skening thyroid nodules do not indicate that the function
- Nodulnya solid and does not have fluid (cystic)
- Nodulnya hard
- Rapid growth.


CANCER papillary

60-70% of thyroid cancers are papillary cancer. 2-3 times more common in women. Papillary cancer is more common in younger people, but at the advanced age of this cancer grow and spread faster. High risk papillary cancer found in people who have received radiation treatment in the neck.

Cancer is treated with surgery, which sometimes involves the removal of nearby lymph nodes. Nodules with a diameter smaller than 1.9 cm was appointed along with the surrounding thyroid gland, although some experts recommend to remove the entire thyroid gland. Surgery is almost always able to cure this cancer.

Given thyroid hormone in doses sufficient to suppress the release of TSH and help prevent recurrence. If nodulnya larger, it is usually done most or all of the thyroid gland and radioactive iodine is often given, in the hope that the remaining thyroid tissue or cancer that has spread to absorb it and destroyed. Another dose of radioactive iodine may be needed to ensure that the overall cancer has been destroyed. Papillary cancer is almost always curable.


Follicular cancer

15% of thyroid cancers are follicular cancers. Follicular cancer is also more common in women. Follicular cancer tends to spread through the bloodstream, spreading cancer cells into various organs of the body. Treatment for this cancer is removal of as much as possible of the thyroid gland and radioactive iodine to destroy tissue or remaining cancer cells.


CANCER anaplastic

Less than 10% of thyroid cancer is anaplastic cancer. This cancer most often found among older women. Cancer grows very rapidly and usually causes a large lump in the neck. About 80% of patients die within 1 year.

Radioactive iodine is not useful because the cancer does not absorb radioactive iodine. Provision of anti-cancer drugs and radiation therapy before and after surgery gives satisfactory results.


CANCER medullary

In medullary cancer, thyroid gland produces large amounts of calcitonin (a hormone produced by thyroid cells only). Because it can also produce other hormones, the cancer is causing symptoms that are unusual. Cancer tends to spread through the lymphatic vessels to lymph nodes and through blood to the liver, lungs and bones.

In multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome, medullary cancer may occur in conjunction with other endocrine cancers. Treatment involves removal of the thyroid gland. More than 2 / 3 patients with medullary cancer, which is part of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome, surviving 10 years; if medullary cancer stand alone, then the life expectancy of sufferers is not that good.

Sometimes the cancer is inherited, therefore someone who has blood ties with medullary cancer, should menjalai screening for genetic disorders. If the result is negative, then almost certainly the person will not suffer from medullary cancer. If results are positive, then he will suffer from medullary cancer; so it should be considered to undergo removal of the thyroid although the symptoms do not occur and blood calcitonin levels have not increased.

Calcitonin levels are high or elevated calcitonin levels after excessive stimulation test, is also helpful in predicting whether someone will develop medullary cancer.


CAUSE
Thyroid cancer is more common in people who had undergone radiation therapy to the head, neck and chest. Other risk factors are family history of thyroid cancer and chronic goiter.


SYMPTOMS
There is enlargement of the thyroid gland or neck swelling. Patient voice changed or become hoarse. Can occur coughing or coughing up blood, and diarrhea or constipation.


Diagnosis
Early sign of thyroid cancer is usually a lump that does not feel pain in the neck. Skening nodulnya thyroid function can determine whether or not, because the non-functioning nodules tend to be malignant. Ultrasound examinations can help determine whether nodulnya solid or filled with fluid. Examples of nodules are usually taken with a needle for biopsy purposes. A biopsy is the best way to determine whether benign or malignant nodulnya.