Thyroid Cancer Treatment

Thyroid Cancer

What is Thyroid Cancer?

Thyroid cancer occurs in the thyroid gland — a butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of the neck. This gland plays a critical role in regulating metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature by producing thyroid hormones. While most thyroid nodules are non-cancerous, some may develop into thyroid cancer. 

Risk Factors for Thyroid Cancer

Several factors may increase your risk of developing thyroid cancer: 

Age and Gender

More common in women; risk increases after age 50. 

Genetic Conditions

Certain inherited syndromes, such as MEN 2, familial adenomatous polyposis, and Cowden syndrome. 

Family History

Having first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, or children) with thyroid cancer. 

Radiation Exposure

Exposure during childhood for conditions like lymphoma or neuroblastoma increases risk. 

Low Iodine Intake

Linked to a higher chance of developing papillary and follicular thyroid cancers. 

Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer often develops silently, but some of the common signs and symptoms include: 

Incidental Finding: Some thyroid cancers are detected accidentally during scans for unrelated health issues. 

Types of Thyroid Cancer 

Thyroid cancers are classified based on the type of cells involved and their behaviour: 

Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

The most common type, includes: 

Papillary carcinoma (most frequent) 
Follicular carcinoma 
Hürthle cell carcinoma

Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma

Develops from C-cells in the thyroid and may be hereditary. Associated with MEN 2 syndrome. 

Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma

A rare but aggressive form of thyroid cancer that spreads rapidly and is difficult to treat. 

How Thyroid Cancer Is Diagnosed

Clinical Examination 

A detailed physical check of the neck to feel for lumps or irregularities. 

Imaging Tests

Neck Ultrasound:

First-line imaging to assess thyroid nodules. Results are often classified using the TIRADS system. 

CT/MRI Scan:

Used for advanced disease or if the cancer extends beyond the thyroid. 

PET-CT Scan:

Recommended if cancer is suspected to have spread to other parts of the body. 

FNAC (Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology) 

A minimally invasive procedure where a fine needle is used to extract cells from the thyroid lump for microscopic evaluation. FNAC under ultrasound guidance improves accuracy. 

Blood Tests 

Thyroid Function Tests: Help assess whether the thyroid is underactive or overactive. 

Thyroglobulin Test: A tumour marker used especially in the follow-up of differentiated thyroid cancers. 