Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the thyroid gland. The thyroid glands are glands located in the front of the neck that produce hormones such as thyroxine. Thyroid cancer is a condition in which thyroid cells lose their normal control and grow uncontrollably. Thyroid cancer is rare and often has no prior symptoms, but is usually well treated.

There are 4 main types of thyroid cancer:

Papillary cancer: It is the most common type of thyroid cancer. It grows slowly and rarely spreads.
Follicular cancer: A less common type of thyroid cancer than papillary cancer.
Medullary cancer: It is a type of cancer that originates from the C cells of the thyroid. These types of cancers grow faster and spread more widely.
Anaplastic cancer: The least common type of thyroid cancer, but the most aggressive. It grows rapidly and often spreads to other organs.

Symptoms of thyroid cancer may include swelling or lump in the neck area, difficulty breathing, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, sore throat and sore throat. However, these symptoms can often be associated with other conditions, so further testing may be required to make a diagnosis.

Treatment can vary based on the type and stage of cancer and other factors. Treatment options may include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Diagnosing thyroid cancer at an early stage can improve the chances of cure, so regular health screenings and monitoring of symptoms are important.

Thyroid Cancer Treatment Methods

Treatment options for thyroid cancer may vary depending on the type of cancer, its stage, and other factors. The treatment plan usually requires a multidisciplinary approach and is managed by a team of specialists such as an endocrinologist, surgeon, radiologist and/or oncologist.

Treatment options may include:

Surgical intervention: It is the most widely used method in the treatment of thyroid cancer. Cancerous thyroid tissue is surgically removed. This surgery may involve the entire thyroid (total thyroidectomy) or part of it (partial thyroidectomy). After surgery, patients usually stay in the hospital for a few days, and the recovery process can take several weeks.
Radioactive iodine therapy: Radioactive iodine is used to destroy cancerous thyroid cells. This treatment is applied to patients whose thyroid gland is completely or partially removed after surgery. Treatment is received by thyroid hormone recipients, who capture the radioactive iodine only by the thyroid cells. During treatment, the patient is isolated for several days to limit their intake of radioactive iodine.
External radiation therapy: In this treatment, high-energy rays are used from the outside to destroy the cancerous thyroid tissue. This method can be used in patients who are not suitable for radioactive iodine therapy or whose thyroid gland has not been completely removed.
Chemotherapy: It is rarely used to treat thyroid cancer. Chemotherapy includes drugs used to kill cancerous cells. Chemotherapy may be used in higher doses for some types of thyroid cancer.

The treatment plan may vary based on the patient’s age, health status, stage of cancer, and other factors. It is important to diagnose and treat thyroid cancer at an early stage. Regular health screenings and monitoring of symptoms can help detect cancer early.

Prof. Dr. Erşan AYGÜN

General Surgery Specialist

Bakırköy/ İstanbul

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