Have you ever felt something like a lump on your neck? It's normal to feel a little scared and worried when that happens. You might think, "What is this? Is it cancer?" But the most important thing we need to understand first is that not all lumps on the neck are cancer. However, being aware of such things, especially thyroid cancer, which we are talking about today, is very important for your health. So let's talk about this in a friendly and simple way today.
First, let's see, what is this thyroid gland?
Simply put, the thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped organ located in the front of our neck, on either side of the windpipe. It is a very important part of our body's endocrine system.
Think of it like a little engine in our body. The hormones secreted by this gland control many things in our body, such as how our body uses energy, body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. So now you can understand how important this little organ is. Thyroid cancer is when the cells in the thyroid gland start to grow abnormally and out of control.
What are the main types of thyroid cancer?
Thyroid cancer is not the same. It is divided into several main types based on the type of cells it forms from. This classification is very important in determining the treatment and the future course of the disease. Let's take a look at what these main types are.
| Cancer type | Important information |
|---|---|
| Papillary cancer | This is the most common type. About 90% of thyroid cancers are of this type. It grows very slowly. Even if it spreads to the lymph nodes in the neck, it responds very well to treatment. The probability of a complete cure is very high. |
| Follicular cancer (Follicular) | This is the second most common type (about 15%). This type is slightly more likely to spread to distant organs, such as the bones and lungs. If it does spread (metastatic cancer), treatment can be a bit more challenging. |
| Oncocytic cancer (Oncocytic) | This occurs in between 3% and 5% of cases. It tends to spread more than the other two types. It can also be a little more difficult to treat. |
| Medullary cancer | This is seen in less than 5% of cases. About a quarter of people with this type have a family history, meaning there may be a genetic influence. |
| Anaplastic cancer | This is the most severe and difficult to treat type. It grows very quickly, and spreads quickly to surrounding tissues and other parts of the body. But fortunately, it is very rare (about 2%). |
What are the symptoms? How do you recognize this?
Often the first sign of thyroid cancer is a painless lump in the neck. This is medically called a thyroid nodule. But don't panic! As we said before, there is no need to be afraid of feeling a lump like this. Because 9 out of 10 of these lumps are not cancer.
Remember, thyroid cancer often doesn't show any symptoms in its early stages. It may be discovered by chance when your doctor is testing you for another condition.
However, in some cases, symptoms such as these may occur:
- Swelling in the neck or swollen lymph nodes.
- Hoarseness or change in voice.
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing food.
- Neck pain, sometimes radiating to the ears.
If you have a symptom like this, it's best to see a doctor as soon as possible and get checked out without ignoring it.
Why does thyroid cancer develop? What are the risk factors?
Like any cancer, thyroid cancer is caused by changes (mutations) in the DNA of cells in the gland. These changes cause cells to divide and grow uncontrollably. Some of these DNA changes can occur during our lifetime, while others can be inherited through genes from our parents.
There are several factors that increase the risk of developing thyroid cancer:
- Gender: Women are about three times more likely to develop thyroid cancer than men.
- Age: It is usually seen most commonly in women in their 40s and 50s and in men in their 60s and 70s.
- Family history: If someone in your family (parents, siblings) has had thyroid cancer, you may also be at risk.
- Genetic conditions: Some inherited syndromes (e.g., `(MEN2A)`, `(MEN2B)`) may increase the risk.
- Exposure to radiation: The risk is higher, especially if you have received radiation therapy to the neck and head during childhood or have been exposed to radioactive materials from a nuclear accident.
- Iodine deficiency: A lack of iodine in the diet can also have some impact.
- Obesity: Excess body weight has also been identified as a risk factor.
How does the doctor diagnose this disease exactly?
When you go to see a doctor with a lump in your neck, he or she will first examine you, ask about your symptoms and family history, and may then recommend several tests to confirm the diagnosis.
- Thyroid Blood Test: This checks whether your thyroid gland is producing hormones properly. However, in many cases, hormone levels can be normal even if cancer is present.
- Biopsy: This is the most accurate way to confirm the diagnosis . In this, a very fine needle (`(Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy)`) is inserted into the lump, a sample of cells is taken from there and examined under a microscope. This will help to know for sure whether the cells are cancerous or not.
- Imaging Scans: These scans help to see the nature and size of the lump and whether the cancer has spread.
- Ultrasound Scan: This is the most commonly used, painless, and simplest method.
- Radioactive Iodine Scan: This can provide a better understanding of the functioning of the thyroid gland.
- CT scan and PET scan: These are used to find out if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
How is cancer treated?
Treatment for thyroid cancer depends on many factors, including the type of cancer, its stage, your age, and your overall health. Your doctor will create a treatment plan that is best for you.
- Surgery: This is the main and most common treatment . The surgeon removes the entire thyroid gland (`(Thyroidectomy)`) or just the part of it that contains the cancer (`(Lobectomy)`). He or she also removes nearby lymph nodes where the cancer cells have spread.
- Radioiodine Therapy: This treatment is given after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells. You take a pill or liquid that contains radioactive iodine. Because this iodine is only absorbed by thyroid tissue, the radiation only damages those cells.
- Radiation Therapy: Some types of cancer do not absorb iodine. In such cases, a machine from outside directs a targeted beam of radiation to the cancer and destroys the cells.
- Hormone Therapy: After the thyroid gland is surgically removed, the body needs to be given thyroid hormones externally. This is done by giving synthetic hormone medications such as levothyroxine. This must be taken for life . This medication also helps prevent the cancer from coming back.
- Targeted Therapy: These are newer treatments that target specific weaknesses in cancer cells and are used for aggressive or advanced cancers.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is rarely used for thyroid cancer. It may be used for severe cases of cancer that have not responded to other treatments.
Can this be completely cured?
Yes! This is the most important and encouraging news. Most types of thyroid cancer can be completely cured with treatment. Especially if the cancer is detected early, before it has spread to distant parts of the body, the chances of cure are very high.
The most common type of cancer, papillary, has a survival rate of over 98%. This means that a person diagnosed with this disease has a very high chance of living for five years or more, just like a healthy person.
However, in rare and severe types like anaplastic, the situation is different. Therefore, only your doctor can give you the clearest explanation about your condition and its prognosis. So, don't be afraid to talk to him openly about this.
After treatment, you will need to have regular check-ups to see if the cancer has returned. This is very important.
Take-Home Message
- If you notice a lump, swelling, or change in your voice in your neck, don't ignore it and see a doctor right away. But don't panic, because most lumps are not cancerous.
- Most thyroid cancers, especially the most common types, respond very well to treatment and can be completely cured.
- The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the greater the chance of successful treatment and complete recovery.
- Follow your doctor's instructions exactly. Take your medications on time, and attend follow-up appointments after treatment.
- It's normal to feel scared when you find out you have cancer. Talk openly about your feelings with family, friends, and your doctor.
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