Thyroid cancer: treatment, symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis
Thyroid cancer is a malignant neoplasm that develops from degenerate cells of this organ of the endocrine system. It happens relatively rarely. According to medical statistics, pathology makes up approximately 1% of the structure of oncological diseases. The tumor is diagnosed much more often (2-3 times) in the fairer sex. Treatment of thyroid cancer in women and men is mainly surgical. Radiation therapy is ineffective.
Malignant neoplasm can develop at any age (including children and adolescents), but it is most often diagnosed in people aged 40-65. As a rule, the younger the patient, the more aggressive the tumor. On our site www.dobrobut.com you will find out what are the symptoms of thyroid cancer at different stages.
Possible causes and variants of the disease
People of the Caucasian race are more prone to thyroid cancer, especially those who live in regions where there is not enough iodine in drinking water and food.
Important: The level of morbidity in our country and neighboring states increased after the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident in 1986.
The exact causes of tumor development have not been finally clarified.
Factors contributing to its development:
- influence of ionizing radiation (in case of accidental exposure or during radiotherapy);
- hereditary (genetically determined) factors;
- age (over 40);
- harmful habits;
- frequent stresses;
- benign thyroid tumors;
- some chronic pathologies (mammary gland tumors, endocrine neoplasia, etc.);
- harmful work environment.
According to the currently accepted classification, the following types of thyroid cancer are distinguished:
- papillary;
- medullary;
- follicular;
- aplastic.
Symptoms of papillary thyroid cancer (the most common) are slow, non-aggressive growth. This tumor rarely metastasizes and is very amenable to therapy. With the papillary form, the prognosis for the patient is the most favorable; full recovery is possible.
Follicular cancer of the thyroid gland in most cases is found in elderly women. In 70% of cases, secondary foci appear in distant organs or lymph nodes. The prognosis is favorable for patients who have not reached the age of 50, because even with metastases, it is often possible to cope with the introduction of radioactive iodine into the body.
Medullary cancer of the thyroid gland is rare (about 5% of cases), but is more aggressive and necessarily requires surgical intervention. In the elderly, the prognosis is usually unfavorable.
The most malignant form of tumor is aplastic carcinoma.
Stages of thyroid cancer and their clinical manifestations
In most cases, the tumor develops slowly. In the early stages, the course is asymptomatic. Patients usually consult a doctor after accidentally discovering a nodule.
There are 4 stages of thyroid cancer.
At the first stage, a compaction of no more than 2 cm in diameter is noted (most often it has a dense-elastic consistency and is absolutely painless during palpation).
On the second - the size of the tumor reaches 4 cm, and its consistency becomes noticeably denser. The patient may feel slight discomfort. Early signs of oncology include an increase in cervical lymph nodes. At the second stage, metastases in the adjacent tissues are sometimes already determined.
Important: The prognosis of thyroid cancer when the disease is detected in stages 1-2 is usually good; complete recovery is possible in almost 95% of cases.
The third stage is characterized by a further increase in compaction. Pronounced symptoms associated with compression of adjacent anatomical formations are noted. As a rule, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) is manifested, and shortness of breath appears on the background of physical exertion (even attacks of suffocation are not excluded). Regional lymph nodes are significantly increased in size. If the process affects the rotary nerve, it negatively affects the mobility of the vocal folds - hoarseness or hoarseness appears when pronouncing sounds.
At the fourth stage, secondary foci appear. In thyroid cancer, metastases spread with the flow of blood and lymph. The general condition of the patient worsens sharply. Specific clinical manifestations depend on which organs and systems are mainly affected by metastases. If they are present in the respiratory system, there is a cough with blood in the sputum. Bone foci are the cause of frequent fractures. Damage to the brain is accompanied by severe headaches. The patient's appetite sharply decreases or disappears, the temperature rises and the body weight decreases sharply.
Diagnosis and treatment
Laryngoscopy, ultrasound scanning and biopsy of the node with subsequent cytological and histological examination of the tissue sample are used to diagnose the pathology.
A blood test for special protein compounds - tumor markers, and the level of gland hormones is of great importance.
If research has clearly confirmed the malignant nature of the neoplasm, this is an indication for surgical intervention. In case of small neoplasms, they usually resort to hemithyroidectomy - excision of half of the gland together with the isthmus within healthy tissues.
Operation to remove the thyroid gland is a complete guarantee that even the smallest nodules are not preserved and there will be no recurrences.
After surgery, radionuclide therapy with iodine-131 isotope is indicated. Thanks to it, regenerated cells are guaranteed to be destroyed.
Even an experienced oncologist will not give an unequivocal answer to the question "how many people live after thyroid cancer", since malignant formations are somewhat unpredictable. With timely diagnosis and complex therapy, the disease can be completely cured. With metastasis, the prognosis is worse, but a lot depends not only on the stage, but also on the type of cancer.
The vast majority of patients tolerate the operation well and are able to lead a normal life afterward. After successful treatment, women of reproductive age can conceive and give birth to a completely healthy child.
Related services:
Chemotherapy course
Oncologist consultation
1.1К views
