Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer starts in the thyroid gland, a small butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck. The thyroid controls hormones that regulate metabolism, heart rate, and other vital functions.
Thyroid cancer occurs when abnormal cells develop in the thyroid, forming a lump or nodule. While many thyroid nodules are benign, some can be cancerous and require timely diagnosis and treatment.
Signs and Symptoms
Thyroid cancer often grows slowly and may not cause symptoms early on. Watch for:
- A lump or swelling in the neck
- Hoarseness or changes in voice
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Persistent cough unrelated to a cold
- Pain in the neck or throat
If these signs last longer than three weeks, see your healthcare professional promptly.
Common Treatments
Treatment depends on the cancer type and stage and may include:
- Surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy).
- Radioactive iodine therapy to destroy remaining thyroid tissue or cancer cells after surgery.
- Thyroid hormone therapy to replace hormones and help suppress cancer growth.
- External beam radiotherapy in select cases.
- Targeted therapies or chemotherapy for advanced or resistant cancers.
Your healthcare team will design a treatment plan specific to your needs.
What to Expect
Recovery varies based on treatment type and extent. You may experience changes in voice or swallowing. Most patients will require lifelong thyroid hormone replacement medication.
Regular follow-up with blood tests and imaging is essential to monitor for recurrence.
Emotional and psychological support is available to help cope with diagnosis and treatment effects.
With appropriate care and monitoring, most people respond well to treatment and lead healthy lives.