You may have heard of a small butterfly-shaped gland in the front of our neck. We call it the thyroid gland. It produces hormones that are essential for our body to function. However, sometimes this precious gland can develop a very serious, fast-spreading cancer. That is what we medically call anaplastic thyroid cancer . Although this is a serious topic, it is important to be aware of this.
Simply put, what is anaplastic thyroid cancer?
This is the rarest, most aggressive, and fastest-growing type of thyroid cancer. Only one or two out of every 100 people with thyroid cancer develop this type. However, half of all deaths from thyroid cancer are due to this anaplastic type.
The word 'anaplastic' means that the cancer cells are very different from normal cells and divide very quickly and uncontrollably. This is why this cancer can spread very quickly to other parts of the body.
What are the causes of this cancer?
In fact, scientists still haven't figured out exactly what causes this cancer. However, it's likely that there is some kind of thyroid problem before the cancer develops.
For example:
- Goiter: Some people have a condition called a goiter that looks like a swollen neck. This cancer can develop inside an enlarged thyroid gland.
- Other thyroid cancers: Sometimes, if a less serious type of thyroid cancer is left untreated for a long time, it can transform into this more serious type of anaplastic thyroid cancer.
What are the symptoms of this?
Many types of thyroid cancer don't show any symptoms in the early stages. However, because anaplastic thyroid cancer grows very quickly, symptoms can appear quickly. If you have one or more of these, you should see a doctor right away .
| Symptom | A little explanation about this |
|---|---|
| A lump or swelling in the lower part of the neck | This is the most common symptom. This lump grows rapidly. |
| Hoarseness or change in voice | The voice can change due to cancer pressing on the nerves associated with the vocal cords. |
| Difficulty swallowing food | Food or pills may feel like they are stuck in your throat. |
| Difficulty breathing | It can be difficult to breathe, especially when you are lying down. You may even make a whistling sound when you breathe. |
| Cough (possibly with blood in the phlegm) | A persistent cough that cannot be stopped may occur. |
| Neck pain or stiffness | Pain may occur due to the pressure of the surrounding tissue from the cancer. |
Who is at higher risk?
Some factors may increase the risk of developing this cancer.
- Age: Most common in people between 60-70 years of age.
- Gender: Women are more likely to develop this cancer than men.
- Pre-existing conditions: The risk is higher if you have previously had goiter or another type of thyroid cancer.
- Exposure to radiation: The risk is increased if you have received radiation therapy to the head and neck area or have been exposed to radioactive materials.
Important: Not everyone with these risk factors will develop cancer. And even someone without any of these risk factors can develop it. So it's important to be aware of the symptoms.
How does the doctor diagnose this disease?
Since this cancer can spread rapidly, even within a few weeks, it is essential to seek medical advice without delay if you have symptoms. The doctor will first examine you and check for a lump or swelling in your neck. Then, he or she will order several tests to confirm the diagnosis.
- Biopsy: A small piece of tissue is removed from the thyroid nodule using a very small needle and examined under a microscope. This test can determine exactly whether cancer cells are present.
- Imaging Tests: MRI or CT scans are done to see how far the cancer has spread and whether it has damaged surrounding organs.
- Laryngoscopy: A tube with a special camera is inserted down the throat to examine the airway and vocal cords.
- Thyroid Scan: A radioactive substance is injected into the body to see if the tumor absorbs the substance. Usually, cancerous nodules do not absorb this substance.
What are the treatments?
This cancer is very challenging to treat because it grows very quickly and unpredictably.
The best treatment is to remove all of the cancerous lumps with surgery . However, if the cancer has spread to other parts of the neck, chest, or distant parts of the body, surgery alone may not be possible.
Unfortunately, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are often not very effective for this type of cancer. However, these treatments are used to control the spread of the cancer and relieve symptoms.
In some cases, surgery is required to make it easier for the patient to breathe or eat.
Another option is to participate in clinical trials, which test new drugs and treatments that are still in the research phase. You can talk to your doctor about this to learn more.
Take-Home Message
- Anaplastic thyroid cancer is the most aggressive and fastest-growing type of thyroid cancer.
- The main symptoms are a rapidly growing lump in the neck, a change in voice, difficulty swallowing, and difficulty breathing.
- If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately without delay. Early diagnosis is very important.
- Although treating this cancer is challenging, there are treatments available such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
- The best thing we can do is not to fear this disease, but to be properly informed and aware of the symptoms .
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