Thyroid cancer is a type of cancer that arises from the thyroid gland, which is located at the base of the neck. It can occur in any of the thyroid cells and varies in severity and treatment.

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Rare Thyroid Cancer Types: Diagnosis and Outlook
1. Papillary Thyroid Cancer
It is the most common type, considering about 80% of cases. It grows slowly and often spreads to lymph nodes in the neck.
2. Follicular Thyroid Cancer
Accounts for about 10-15% of cases. It can spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or bones.
3. Medullary Thyroid Cancer
Makes up about 4% of thyroid cancers. It can be sporadic or part of a genetic syndrome called multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN).
4. Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
A rare, aggressive form that accounts for about 2% of cases. It grows quickly and is more difficult to treat.
5. Hurthle Cell Carcinoma
A subtype of follicular thyroid cancer that is more severe and harder to treat.
What Causes Thyroid Cancer?
- Family history of thyroid cancer or genetic syndromes
- Exposure to high levels of radiation
- Certain inherited genetic mutations
- Gender and age (more common in women and in people over 40)
Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer
- A lump or swelling in the neck
- Pain in the neck or throat
- Hoarseness or changes in the voice
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
- Persistent cough not related to a cold
How is Thyroid Cancer Diagnosed?
- Physical Exam: Checking for lumps or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.
- Blood Tests: Measuring thyroid hormone levels and other markers.
- Ultrasound: Imaging to examine the thyroid gland and detect nodules.
- Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy: A needle is used to extract cells from a thyroid nodule for examination under a microscope.
- Radioactive Iodine Scan: Helps determine if cancer has spread.
- CT, MRI, or PET Scans: Used to examine the degree of cancer spread.
How is Thyroid Cancer Treated?
- Surgery
The most common treatment, which may involve removing part or all of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy). Lymph nodes may also be taken out if cancer has spread.
- Radioactive Iodine Therapy
It is done after surgery to destroy any cancer cells that are still left. Patients may need to avoid certain foods high in iodine before treatment.
- Thyroid Hormone Therapy
Suppresses TSH levels to prevent the growth of any remaining cancer cells and to replace the hormones that the thyroid would normally produce.
- External Beam Radiation Therapy
Used in certain cases, especially if cancer has spread beyond the thyroid gland.
- Chemotherapy
Generally used for anaplastic thyroid cancer or cancer that doesn’t respond to other treatments.
- Targeted Therapy
Drugs that target specific abnormalities in cancer cells, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors for certain types of thyroid cancer.
- Follow-Up Care
Regular monitoring through blood tests and imaging to check for recurrence.
Lifelong treatment of administering thyroid hormone if the entire thyroid is removed.
Supervising any long-term side effects from treatment.
Regular follow-up and a multidisciplinary approach to treatment can help manage cancer effectively and improve outcomes.
Healthy Habits for Thyroid Cancer Recovery
- Healthy diet: Incorporating a healthy diet in life cannot help cure, but it can help keep the cancer in control. A diet with fruits and vegetables helps strengthen the immune system which supports the fight against cancerous cells. A balanced intake of iodine in your diet is a must. However, healthcare professionals recommended that the patient undergoing radioactive iodine therapy follow a low iodine diet to make the treatment more effective by increasing the thyroid gland’s uptake of radioactive iodine. Include antioxidants in your diet to treat inflammation. Avoid consuming processed and sugary food.
- Exercise: Maintaining a healthy weight is important in controlling thyroid-related disease. Regular exercise should be included in the lifestyle.
Reference
https://cris.unibo.it/handle/11585/625081
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304383500006972
Written by Rutuja Adake