Thyroid Cancer by Terry Ryan

Surprisingly, I have had 2 friends diagnosed with thyroid cancer this last month. Both are female and in their 50s. So, and of course, I had to research THYROID CANCER to find out what it is and what to do.

Thyroid cancer has doubled since the 70s. It is fifth in most diagnosed cancer in American women now. Yes, the word CANCER is always scary, it is a very treatable cancer when caught in the early stages.

• Lump in the neck
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Pain in the throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• Persistent cough

If you have any of the above symptoms, you should see your physician. It mostly likely NOT be thyroid cancer, but it is good to rule it out.

Thyroid Cancer Awareness Click to Purchase

One of the friends I mentioned, that recently was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, had none of the above symptoms. Her thyroid cancer was discovered with an ultrasound of her thyroid gland. Prior to the ultrasound test, she was diagnosed with a parathyroid disorder when a regular blood test showed elevated calcium levels. Parathyroid glands are located behind the thyroid gland and control the amount of calcium in our blood and bones. They are 4 small glands located by the thyroid. My friend had an ultrasound to see which parathyroid had a tumor and would be removed.

However, the ultrasound showed a large, dark looking tumor on her thyroid, and later a needle biopsy was performed. The results showed that she has papillary thyroid cancer. Her thyroid will be removed this Friday.

There are different types of thyroid cancer

Once the type of thyroid cancer is determined, surgery and a treatment plan is designed. Normally, thyroid cancers are easily treated so no need to panic. 70% of thyroid cancer is papillary cancer, which is an uncontrolled growth of follicular cells.

Other types of thyroid cancer are:

• Follicular thyroid cancer represents 10% of thyroid cancers.
• Hurthle cell thyroid is another form though very rare.
• Medullary thyroid cancer makes up a small 3%.
• Anaplastic thyroid cancer is in about 1% of thyroid cancer.

Treatments

• Surgery
• Radioactive iodine
• Radiation therapy

What to expect

After surgery, there will be a thin red scar that, overtime, be hard to notice. Because the thyroid has been removed, the patient will be on thyroid hormone replacement for the rest of their life. Blood test are ordered every 6 months to determine if the dose of thyroid replacement prescription needs to be increased or decreased.

Survival rate is 90% if caught at an early stage. Most people lead normal and long lives after being diagnosed and treated.

Why is there an increase of thyroid cancer?

Physicians are mystified about what is causing the rise in thyroid cancers. Some theories blame radiation including Chernobyl nuclear power disaster in 1986, and possibly all the nuclear testing in the 1950s. Then there are the dental X-rays and yearly mammograms. Do they contribute? No one knows for sure.

More resources:

www.thyroid.org

www.thyca.org

Thanks for reading!

Terry Ryan, Health Blogger