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[Teething] [Thyroid Cancer] [Tonsillitis]

THYROID CANCER

It is the cancer of the thyroid gland. This gland is situated in the front of neck that produces thyroid hormone which is important for normal regulation of the metabolism of the body.

TARGET GROUP:

This cancer affects the woman more than the men. People in the age group of 25 and 65 are more prone to it. Patients with the history of radiation in childhood have increased risk of cancer.

TYPE OF AILMENTS:

There are four types of thyroid cancer:

  • Papillary thyroid cancer
  • Follicular thyroid cancer
  • Medullary thyroid cancer
  • Anaplastic thyroid cancer

The treatment may vary according to different type of cancer.

 

SYMPTOMS:

  • It usually starts of with a single, painless lump in the neck, which may increase gradually
  • There may be difficulty in swallowing in the oesophagus
  • There may be difficulty in breathing in the windpipe
  • There may hoarseness or loss of voice

A person should not ignore any lumps felt in the neck and visit the doctor immediately.

AFFECTED AREA:

It affects the thyroid gland and in advanced stages can spread to the other parts of the body.

CAUSES:

The actual cause of thyroid cancer is unknown, however exposure of the neck area to the radiation may increase the risk of cancer. This may happen when radiotherapy is given in childhood or radiation exposure due to nuclear fallout. Risk of developing medullary cancer could be if one has a family history of cancer.

 

RISK TO OTHERS:

Doctors may not be able to explain why one person gets this disease and another does not. Thyroid cancer is not contagious. It cannot spread from one person to another.

RISK TO SUFFERER:

Treatment of cancer has some side effects; chemotherapy is very painful and makes the person lose hair. It has further complications. Moreover, cancer in advanced stages can be life threatening.

TREATMENT:

Treatment depends on a number of factors like age, health, type of tumor, and at the stage of the cancer.

  • Surgery is often used to treat cancer. The whole thyroid gland may be removed or a part of it depending on stage of cancer
  • Lymph nodes may also be removed if they have cancer cells.
  • Radioactive iodine treatment may be necessary after surgery.
  • Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are used to treat cancer that has spread to the other parts of the body.

 

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