Thyroid cancer is not very common, but you need to know about this disease. Doctors are not yet able to completely cure malignant tumors in the later stages, so it is very important to detect the disease in time. How does thyroid cancer manifest itself? What are the first signs of the disease that can be detected independently? We will talk about this in our article.
Definition
Oncology of the thyroid gland, as noted above, is rare. A malignant tumor develops from the cells of an organ. According to statistics, thyroid cancer is diagnosed in 1% of patients, and death occurs, as a rule, in half of them.
Usually, the disease affects people between the ages of forty-five and sixty. Especially often the disease occurs in people related to the elimination of consequences at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
Don't think it's only the age of risk that you need to worry. The problem is that malignanteducation affects people of all ages. Even teenagers and children are not immune from the onset of the disease. It is also noteworthy that in young patients the tumor develops much more aggressively than in people of age.
Studies have shown that thyroid cancer is more common in women. They get sick three times more often than men. But men should not lower their vigilance, because over the age of sixty-five they are more susceptible to the disease than women.
The disease is more common in regions exposed to radiation exposure. There are also risks for residents of areas with insufficient amounts of iodine in nature. Scientists have long proven that thyroid cancer is more common in Europeans. Residents of South America, Asia and Africa have virtually no thyroid problems.
Doctors consider thyroid cancer a non-aggressive tumor. Education may not change size for several years and not let metastases. The slow course of the disease does not give the right to ignore the disease. It is important to consult a doctor in time, then the treatment will be relatively easy.
Reasons
Oncology of the thyroid gland in women and men occurs under certain conditions. This disease, like any other, has its own characteristics. Scientists have not yet identified the exact reasons, but they named several factors that increase the risk of getting sick:
- Radioactive radiation. After the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, many studies were carried out. Doctorsexamined people who took part in the aftermath, and found that the number of cases of thyroid cancer increased fifteenfold. Radiation rains that manifest themselves after nuclear weapons tests also pose a danger.
- Age over forty years old. Of course, malignant tumors can also occur in children, but with age, the risk of getting sick increases.
- Radiotherapy to the neck and head. If you have ever been exposed to prolonged exposure, then you are in danger. Human cells can begin to actively divide, grow, and also mutate. Due to the processes, a follicular or papillary form of the tumor may occur. Remember that a neoplasm may appear even several years after irradiation.
- Harmful work. There are professions that contribute to the development of the tumor. For example, medical personnel working with ionizing radiation. Workers in hot shops are just as at risk as people exposed to heavy metals.
- Heredity. In the course of numerous studies, a certain gene has been identified that is not only inherited, but also provokes the development of thyroid cancer. If it is present in the body, then the likelihood of an ailment is almost one hundred percent. If the gene is found, medical specialists suggest removing the thyroid gland for prevention.
- Frequent stress. When a person is constantly in a stressful situation, the immune system is reduced. Those who do not see in this are mistakenProblems. You need to understand that it is the immune system that can resist cancer cells.
- Bad habits. This includes addiction to alcohol or tobacco. The fact is that carcinogens reduce the body's ability to resist atypical cells.
In addition, some diseases can also provoke the formation of a malignant neoplasm. Among them:
- Tumors of the mammary glands (benign and malignant). This is especially true for hormone-dependent formations. It can be argued that this confirms the results of studies that thyroid cancer is more common in women.
- Chronic diseases of female organs. Diseases of the ovaries and uterus (especially against the background of hormonal disorders) are active provocateurs of the disease.
- Colon cancer and polyps in it.
- Multinodular goiter.
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia.
- Thyroid nodules and benign tumors.
Signs of disease
Symptoms of thyroid cancer can be seen even by a person who is not associated with medicine. This is due to the fact that the gland itself resembles a butterfly in structure. Since the thyroid gland is covered only by the skin, its examination is noticeably simplified. But even without it, an attentive person will notice that he has problems with the gland.
Common symptoms of thyroid cancer in women and men are as follows:
- The appearance of a small knot in the neck underchin. It can be seen with the naked eye if you carefully examine yourself in the mirror. In the early stages, the nodule is very pliable and does not cause pain. He hardly moves. However, over time, its size increases, and the knot itself becomes denser. In this case, it is better to first go to the doctor, and then start to panic. Nodules on the thyroid gland occur for various reasons. Only five percent of them can develop into a tumor. If you notice a nodule in a child, you should immediately consult a doctor, because until the age of twenty there should be no tubercles and seals on the gland.
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck. In men and women, the symptom of thyroid cancer is the same.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Pain in the cervical region that radiates to the ear.
- Hoarse voice.
- Feeling of a lump in the throat.
- Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.
- Cough not related to colds or allergies.
- Swollen neck veins.
Soreness appears only if the tumor has reached an impressive size and began to put pressure on neighboring organs. The voice changes due to metastases that have penetrated the vocal cords and the recurrent laryngeal nerve.
Types of diseases
There are common symptoms of thyroid cancer in women and men. Since problems with this organ cause hormonal instability, there are some features of the manifestation of the disease by gender. So, in women, a malignant tumor on the thyroid gland causes:
- Lossappetite.
- HELL jumps.
- Irregularities in the menstrual cycle.
- Hair loss.
- Frequent colds.
Men may experience:
- Decreased erection.
- Lack of sexual desire.
- Vision problems.
- Poor cold tolerance.
The thyroid gland is a unique organ. With its help, hormones appear in the body that regulate vital processes in the human body. The form of thyroid cancer depends on which cells became the basis for the development of the disease.
Doctors distinguish several types of this oncology:
- Papillary.
- Follicular.
- Medullary.
- Anaplastic.
Let's look at each shape in more detail.
Papillary
The disease is different in that a lot of protrusions appear on the surface of the cancerous tumor, which are somewhat reminiscent of papillae. The papillary appearance is considered highly differentiated. This means that the affected cells differ little from normal ones. This form occurs in eighty percent of patients.
But not everything is so bad, because the hallmark of the tumor is its slow growth. It practically does not allow metastases and is effectively treated. Papillary lesions are more common in women than in men. The disease can manifest itself at the age of thirty to fifty years. But do not worry, because it is perfectly treated, and life expectancy after therapy can be more than twentyfive years.
Follicular
This form of the disease is distinguished by the appearance of the tumor. It looks like a cluster of round bubbles. Follicular cancer occurs in about 15% of cases. It is most often diagnosed in older people (mainly women).
With this form of germination in blood vessels and adjacent tissues is not observed only in a third of cases. Because of this, the tumor is called minimally invasive. In about 60% of patients, cancer cells invade the lymph nodes, lungs, and bones. Notably, these metastases are effectively treated with radioactive iodine.
Doctors give a good prognosis in cases where the patient is less than fifty years old. In old age, metastases may occur more actively.
Medullary
This form of tumor is extremely rare. It can occur in only 8% of cases from parafollicular cells that produce the hormone calcitonin, which is responsible for bone growth and also regulates calcium and phosphorus levels.
Medullary is more dangerous than all other types of cancer. It is believed so because this type of malignant growth grows into the muscles and trachea through the capsule. Cancer has specific symptoms: fever, diarrhea, redness of the face.
According to statistics, medullary tumors occur in people older than 40-50 years. Gender does not play a big role in this case. It was also found that the sick had a hereditary predisposition to the disease. However, a malignant tumor can also be detected in patients whose familiesno cancer patients.
Medullary cancer rarely appears on its own. Basically, along with the disease, other endocrine disorders are also detected, for example, multiple endocrine neoplasia. Medullary cancer does not use iodine therapy because the cells do not absorb iodine.
The only treatment used is surgery. You will have to remove not only the gland itself, but also the lymph nodes located on the neck. For patients older than fifty years, doctors do not give comforting forecasts.
Anaplastic
This type of cancer is considered the rarest form, because atypical cells develop in the thyroid gland, which have nothing to do with the original he althy ones. They no longer perform useful functions, only actively multiply. According to statistics, such formations occur in only 3% of patients.
Usually, this type of cancer is diagnosed in people over 65 years of age. The disease progresses very quickly, and metastases penetrate into all organs. Treatment of thyroid cancer of this type does not give effective results. For this reason, the prognosis for patients is disappointing.
Diagnosis
Treatment of thyroid cancer should be started in the early stages of the disease. Therefore, it is very important to identify it in time.
How is the disease diagnosed? The best method for determining malignancy is ultrasound. The procedure does not take much time and money, therefore it is available to all categories of citizens. Immediately after it becomes clearwhether there are nodules on the organ, their size and exact location.
The disadvantage of the procedure is that it cannot be used to determine whether a tumor is malignant or benign. However, based on the results of this study, the doctor may suggest thyroid cancer. Symptoms of the disease in women and men at the onset of the disease do not always indicate the appearance of a malignant neoplasm. An ultrasound helps doctors make a diagnosis. Specialists may suspect the presence of oncology by the following signs:
- Knot has jagged or fuzzy edges.
- Knot reflects the ultrasonic wave poorly.
- The knot has a heterogeneous structure.
- The knot has very good circulation.
To understand what cells the formation consists of, a fine-needle aspiration biopsy is used. The procedure is carried out under the control of special equipment. The doctor looks at the screen and inserts a thin needle into the tumor. This method is supported by its accuracy and low trauma.
If a fine needle biopsy does not clarify the situation, an open biopsy of the required area is prescribed. The essence of the method is that a small operation is performed, during which the doctor cuts off a small piece of education and sends it for research.
Blood test
To be sure of the diagnosis, the doctor offers to give the patient a blood test, after which treatment is prescribed. Symptoms of thyroid cancer may not be obvious enough. Therefore, experts rely onresearch results. They give an accurate picture of the state of the body.
The doctor prescribes a venous blood test. As soon as a person passes this biomaterial, the presence of tumor markers will be determined in the laboratory. Their elevated level indicates a certain form of malignant tumor of the thyroid gland. Consider in general terms what indicators are taken into account:
- Calcitonin. If there are multiple signs of thyroid cancer in women and men, and this figure is also overestimated, then it is highly likely that a medikullarny form of cancer can be assumed. If the patient has already been treated, then an elevated level indicates distant metastases. However, calcitonin may be elevated in pregnant women, people who take calcium supplements or hormonal contraceptives, and people with pancreatic disease.
- BRAF gene. Thyroid cancer in men and women is determined using this indicator. Knowing the level of the gene, it is possible to detect papillary thyroid cancer. He althy people lack BRAF.
- Thyroglobulin. It is secreted by thyroid cells. If the level of this protein substance is too high, then the doctor assumes the presence of a follicular or papillary tumor.
- EGRF. With its help, epidermal growth factor is determined. The analysis is done after the removal of the tumor. If there is a lot of EGRF in the blood, then there is a high probability of relapse.
- Protooncogene mutations. If there are changes in the genes, the patient is likely to have medullary cancer. The study is carried out not only in patients,but also his relatives.
- Thyroid antibodies in serum. With a high amount of such proteins, the patient is diagnosed with an autoimmune thyroid disease. This usually happens with papillary cancer.
Stages
The prognosis of thyroid cancer in women and men depends on the stage of the disease. Metastases are new tumor foci that appear after cancer cells are carried through the blood through the body.
- The first stage. At this stage, the tumor has a size of no more than two centimeters and is located in one lobe of the gland. Metastases have not yet occurred, and the thyroid capsule remains in its original state.
- Second stage. The tumor increases in size and deforms the thyroid gland. If there are several small neoplasms, then this condition is also the second stage. In this case, metastases may already appear.
- Third stage. At this time, the formation grows into the capsule of the organ. Signs of thyroid cancer become more pronounced, and tests only confirm the assumption. The tumor is already beginning to compress the trachea, adjacent tissues and solder with them. Metastases occur in the cervical lymph nodes on both sides of the thyroid gland.
- The fourth stage. The thyroid gland ceases to be mobile, greatly increases in size. Metastases already in many organs.
Treatment
Oncology and thyroid nodules are not the same thing. Nodes are a kind of norm if no ultrasound reveals anyother deviations. Malignant education requires treatment. Most often it occurs through surgery, but this is not the only option. Methods of therapy largely depend on the age of the patient and the type of tumor.
If a patient has a papillary or follicular form of formation, then in the early stages one lobe of the thyroid gland is removed. In this case, a resection of the isthmus of the gland is performed. In some cases, it is left. If the tumor continues to grow, then the organ is removed completely. In the last stages, an extrafascial total thyroidectomy is performed. The lymph nodes are also removed.
For medullary, papillary, and undifferentiated cancers, the thyroid gland is completely removed.
In an advanced situation, when the lymph nodes in the neck have already been affected by metastases, cervical lymphadenectomy is first performed. Extremely rarely, an extended operation with resection of adjacent structures and organs is performed. Whether this is needed or not depends on the spread of the disease.
There are other treatments:
- Radioiodine therapy. After thyroid cancer surgery, this type of therapy is prescribed to destroy the remaining metastases.
- Remote radiation therapy. Traditionally, this type of treatment is carried out before the removal of the thyroid gland. Oncology of undifferentiated and squamous type can be treated quite well.
- Chemotherapy. It is prescribed for undifferentiated and medullary oncology.
- Hormonal suppressivetherapy. It is used for follicular and papillary thyroid cancer. Oncology of these types is successfully treated with complex therapy, which includes this method.
- Targeted therapy. Traditionally used to treat medullary cancers and cancers that are resistant to iodine treatment.
Forecast
After carrying out therapeutic measures, doctors are in no hurry to make a prognosis for thyroid cancer in women and men. Patients are examined every three months during the first year after treatment. In the second and third years, surveys are carried out once every four months. For the next two years, patients are examined every six months. If during this period there were no complications, then in the future, former patients are checked once a year. Naturally, people are registered in the oncological dispensary.
As for the prognosis of thyroid cancer, it is encouraging (when compared with tumors of other organs). If a person is younger than forty-five years old, and the size of his formation is less than three centimeters, then a full recovery can be assumed with a high probability. For older people, things are much more complicated. However, among them there are completely cured.
Prognosis largely depends on the stage and type of tumor. Doctors say the following:
- Papillary cancer is relatively harmless, if I may say so about oncology. Nearly 100% of treated patients survived the first five years.
- Follicular type of cancer is treated worse, but even in this caseapproximately 55% of patients survive. If the disease was diagnosed early, then all patients survive.
- About 30% of patients with medullary cancer survive. In case of detection of the disease in the initial stages of recovered patients, about 98% (those who lived after treatment for 10 years or more).
- Aplastic cancer is probably the worst option. After treatment, only 16% of patients live up to 10 years. This happens because the tumor grows rapidly, metastases are actively developing, and atypical cells are immune to iodine.
As soon as the rehabilitation period passes, many patients need to return to work. Depending on how extensive the surgery was, they can assign disability in thyroid cancer. To do this, you must pass a medical expert commission.
How to eat
Many people think that after the operation they will have to keep a strict diet. However, there is no particular need for this. The main thing is that the menu should be very diverse. So nutrition will meet all the needs of a weakened body. People who have had such a serious illness, it is advisable to study information about products that inhibit the growth of tumor cells. Scientists have long said that the following vegetables and fruits are he althy:
1. All plant products that have a yellow-red color. They are high in antioxidants that prevent damage to he althy cells.
- Pumpkin.
- Tomatoes.
- Carrot.
- Oranges.
- Apricots.
- Bulgarian pepper.
2. All vegetables andblue and purple fruits. They contain anthocyanins that neutralize carcinogens.
- Beets.
- Blueberries.
- Blackberry.
- Cherry.
- Purple bow.
3. All vegetables that are green. They increase the body's defenses.
- Spinach.
- Parsley.
- Green onion.
- Sorrel.
- Broccoli.
- Peas.
- Salad.
4. Foods high in ellagic acid.
- Walnuts.
- Raspberry.
- Edible chestnut.
- Strawberries.
- Blackberry.
5. Vegetables rich in indole-3-carbinol. This substance has been found to have anti-cancer properties.
- Broccoli.
- Cabbage (Chinese, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, white cabbage).
- Radishes.
- Daikon.
- Turnip.
6. Fruits, berries and vegetables, which are rich in phytoncides.
- Lemon.
- Garlic.
- Black currant.
- Bow.
- Fuck.
7. Dairy products.
8. Green tea.
Be sure to include these foods in your diet. In addition, the menu should be as balanced as possible. It must contain carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
Conclusion
A malignant tumor is a severe disease. However, modern methods of treatment make it possible to achieve a 100% result in treatment, and together with a positive attitude, a positive prognosis can be expected. Symptoms of thyroid cancer in women and men appear at the firststages weakly. Therefore, it is very important to consult a doctor at the slightest sign of deterioration in well-being.
Don't despair if you have been diagnosed with a malignant neoplasm. Thyroid cancer has already been successfully treated, and the disease proceeds rather slowly.
