According to endocrineweb.com, there are about 37,000 new cases of thyroid cancer each year. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that lies in the front of the neck, right under the voice box. Cancer of the thyroid occurs when cells begin to function abnormally, causing growths, known as nodules. Nodules may either be benign, meaning not cancerous and unable to spread to other parts of the body, or malignant, meaning cancerous and possibly life threatening. 90 percent of nodules are benign.
The main types of thyroid cancer are papillary, follicular, medullary and anaplastic. Papillary and follicular cancers account for 80-90 percent of all thyroid cancers. They tend to grow slowly, and if they are detected early, they can be treated successfully. Medullary thyroid cancer accounts for 5-10 percent of thyroid cancer cases. It is easier to control if it is found and treated before it spreads around the body. Anaplastic cancer is the least common. Because these cells are highly abnormal and difficult to recognize, this cancer is hard to control because it tends to grow and spread very quickly.
Scientists have not discovered any direct causes of thyroid. However, risk factors include exposure to radiation, family history, being female (the risk is three times greater for females), being older than 40 and not having enough iodine in the diet.
Symptoms of thyroid cancer include a lump in the front of the neck, hoarseness or difficulty speaking, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, difficulty swallowing or breathing, and pain in the throat or neck. However, these symptoms are not always sure signs of cancer, as they may also lead to an infection, goiter or another problem. For this reason, it is very important to see a doctor when experiencing them.
Thyroid cancer may be diagnosed in a variety of different ways, such through a physical exam, blood test or biopsy. Treatment may include surgery, radioactive iodine therapy, hormone treatment, external radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
For more information on thyroid cancer, as well as other head and neck cancers, visit NorthShore University HealthSystem.
According to the CDC Thyroid cancer rates have increased more than 6 percent per year over the last decade, making it the fastest-increasing cancer in the U.S. But experts aren’t sure why. Fox 12 news recently interviewed Dr. Maria Verso, an endocrinologist from the University of Stanford, to get her perspective on this trend.
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