Understanding Thyroid with Cancer

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Understanding Thyroid with Cancer

• By Dr. Valeria Simone MD
• (Southlake General Surgery, Texas, USA)

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OVERVIEW

• Understanding thyroid with cancer, its signs, and
  treatment options is vital for anyone affected by
  this disease. Each year, thousands of people are
  diagnosed with thyroid cancer, a disease that
  starts in the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped
  organ located at the base of your throat.

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Key Takeaways

• Thyroid cancer, originating in the thyroid gland,
  has various types including papillary,
  follicular, medullary, and anaplastic, with
  differing prognoses and treatment necessities.
• Diagnostic procedures play a critical role
  in thyroid cancer management, with routine
  check-ups, biopsies, and a grading system being
  essential for early detection and informing
  treatment decisions.
• Treatment for thyroid cancer can involve surgery,
  radioactive iodine therapy, hormone replacement,
  targeted therapy, or radiation, with the choice
  largely dependent on the cancer type and stage,
  alongside continuous follow-up care.

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Understanding Thyroid Cancer

• Thyroid cancer originates in the thyroid gland,
  which is situated at the base of the throat near
  the trachea. This gland is responsible for
  creating hormones that control vital bodily
  functions, including heart rate, body
  temperature, and weight.
• Thyroid cancer can be classified into several
  types, such as differentiated thyroid cancer
  (including papillary and follicular thyroid
  cancers), medullary thyroid cancer, and
  anaplastic thyroid cancers. The presence of
  thyroid cancer cells varies among these types.

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Papillary Thyroid Cancer

• Papillary thyroid cancer, accounting for
  approximately 80 of all thyroid cancer cases, is
  the most prevalent type of thyroid tumor and
  represents most thyroid cancers.
• Although it generally grows slowly and is less
  likely to spread to other body parts, it tends to
  metastasize to the necks lymph nodes. Despite
  this, the odds of a full recovery are typically
  promising.

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Follicular Thyroid Cancer

• Follicular thyroid cancer
• Represents 10 to 15 of all thyroid cancer cases
  in the United States
• Less common than other types of thyroid cancer
• Has the potential to spread to lymph nodes
• Increased tendency to invade blood vessels

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• Medullary Thyroid Cancer
• Medullary thyroid cancer, a rare form of thyroid
  cancer, could have genetic implications. This
  necessitates unique treatment methods, such as
  a total thyroidectomy.
• Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
• Even though anaplastic thyroid cancer is rare,
  its aggressive nature results in it being
  responsible for almost 40 of thyroid
  cancer-related deaths, despite accounting for
  less than

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Symptoms and Diagnosis of Thyroid Cancer
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• Early detection of symptoms to diagnose thyroid
  cancer can facilitate more effective treatment
  and improve the prognosis. Symptoms of thyroid
  cancer include
• A painless lump or swelling in the neck
• Difficulty swallowing
• Hoarseness
• Swollen neck glands
• Breathing difficulties
• A persistent cough unrelated to a cold
• Fatigue
• Neck pain

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Common Symptoms

• Early stages of thyroid cancer usually dont
  present noticeable symptoms. However, as the
  disease progresses, it can result in
• Pain
• Swallowing difficulties
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Changes in voice
• A painless neck lump

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• Diagnostic Tests
• Thyroid cancer can often be identified through
  routine blood tests and physical check-ups.
  Should a lump or nodule be detected, a biopsy is
  generally conducted to affirm the diagnosis.
• Grading System
• Thyroid cancer severity is assessed using a
  grading system, which also informs treatment
  decisions. The system classifies the disease into
  stages ranging from I to stage IV thyroid cancer.

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Risk Factors of Thyroid Cancer

• Some factors can increase the risk of thyroid
  cancer. These factors should be taken into
  consideration for early detection and prevention.
  These include
• Age
• Gender
• Exposure to radiation
• Certain inherited genetic syndromes

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Thyroid Cancer Treatment Options
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• Several treatment options are available to treat
  thyroid cancer, depending on the type and stage
  of the cancer. These options include
• Surgery
• Radioactive iodine therapy
• Thyroid hormone replacement
• Targeted therapy
• External beam radiation therapy

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• Thyroid Surgery
• Thyroid surgery serves as the primary
  treatment in most thyroid cancer cases, aiming to
  eliminate the cancerous thyroid tissue. Depending
  on how far the cancer has spread, surgeons may
  remove the entire thyroid gland or just a portion
  of it. In certain instances, neck lymph nodes may
  also be excised during the procedure.
• Radioactive Iodine Therapy
• Radioactive iodine therapy presents a viable
  treatment option for certain thyroid cancer
  types, including papillary, follicular, and
  Hurthle cell thyroid cancers.
• This therapy, which employs radioactive iodine,
  effectively targets and eradicates cancerous
  thyroid cells, eliminating any residual cancerous
  cells post-surgery.
• Thyroid Hormone Replacement
• Post-thyroid removal surgery, patients typically
  require lifelong thyroid hormone
  replacement medication to compensate for the
  hormones the thyroid gland would have otherwise
  produced.
• Targeted Therapy
• Targeted therapy may be employed in cases of
  advanced or recurrent thyroid cancer. This
  treatment method uses drugs or other substances
  to specifically identify thyroid tumors and
  attack particular cancer cell types.
• External Beam Radiation Therapy
• Another common treatment and alternative for
  thyroid cancer is external beam radiation
  therapy, which utilizes high-energy radiation to
  destroy cancer cells. Its commonly used when
  other treatments prove ineffective.

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Staging and Prognosis

• The cancers stage at diagnosis significantly
  affects the prognosis. Lower stages suggest
  localized thyroid cancer with a greater chance of
  responding to treatment, while higher stages
  point towards a more severe condition with a risk
  of the cancer spreading beyond the thyroid.

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Recovery and Follow-Up Care

• Recovery duration post-thyroid cancer treatment
  is variable, influenced by factors like the
  patients age, tumor size, and the treatment type
  received. Regular follow-up appointments form a
  critical part of the recovery journey, enabling
  doctors to keep track of the patients health and
  detect any recurrence signs.

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• Recovery Time
• Post-treatment recovery time for thyroid cancer
  varies. Most patients typically notice
  improvements within 1-2 weeks after surgery.
  However, if radioactive iodine treatment is
  administered, the start of thyroid hormone
  therapy might be delayed until post-treatment,
  thus extending the recovery period to
  approximately 6 to 12 weeks.
• Side Effects
• Thyroid cancer treatment can lead to a range of
  side effects, contingent on the specific
  treatment administered. Common side effects
  include
• Neck pain
• Sore throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• Hoarseness
• Temporary voice changes
• Thyroid hormone deficiency following surgery
• Follow-Up Appointments
• Regular follow-up appointments are vital for
  monitoring recurrence and managing persistent
  treatment side effects. These visits enable
  doctors to meticulously track the patients
  health and detect any potential signs of
  recurrence or complications early on.

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Clinical Trials

• Thyroid cancer clinical trials provide patients
  with the opportunity to access novel treatments
  and contribute to the advancement of medical
  knowledge to treat cancer. These studies explore
  innovative methods for disease prevention,
  detection, diagnosis, and treatment using thyroid
  hormones.

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Coping and Support

• Dealing with a thyroid cancer diagnosis can be
  daunting. However, several resources can aid in
  managing the emotional, social, and financial
  impacts of the disease. Such resources include
• Lets explore more Understanding Thyroid with
  Cancer - Southlake General Surgery

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Make an Appointment

• If you or a loved one has been diagnosed
  with thyroid cancer, or if you are experiencing
  symptoms that concern you, dont hesitate to get
  in touch with us. Our team at Southlake General
  Surgery is ready to assist you with your
  healthcare needs.
• For an appointment, you can reach out to us
  through our Make an Appointment or call our
  office directly at 1 [phone]. You can
  also make an online appointment. Our friendly and
  knowledgeable healthcare experts will guide you
  through the process, helping you choose a
  convenient time for your visit and answering any
  preliminary questions you may have.
• During your appointment, youll have the
  opportunity to meet with one of our experienced
  specialists who will listen to your concerns,
  conduct necessary examinations, and discuss
  potential treatment options. Our goal is to
  ensure that you are fully informed and
  comfortable with your care and treatment plan.
• Remember, early detection and treatment are key
  when dealing with thyroid cancer. Dont wait to
  seek help. Make an appointment today and take the
  first step towards better health.

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• Medically Reviewed By Dr. Valeria Simone MD
• Board-certified General Surgeon at Southlake
  General Surgery, Texas, USA.
• Follow us on Facebook and YouTube.
• Source Understanding Thyroid with Cancer -
  Southlake General Surgery

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THANK YOU!
SOUTHLAKE GENERAL SURGERY
1545 E. Southlake Blvd, Suite 270 Southlake, TX
76092
EMAIL info_at_southlakegeneralsurgery.com
VISIT US AT www.southlakegeneralsurgery.com