Types of Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid gland is butterfly shaped small glandular structure, present underneath the larynx, at the base of the throat. This gland produces certain hormones that are important for proper metabolism, as well as the growth and functioning of various body organs. The follicular cells present in thyroid glands help the body to maintain the heart rate, the body temperature and also the energy level. Where as, the C cells help in maintaining calcium level in the blood.

All the body parts are made up of tissues which in turn are made up of small cells and thyroid gland are no different. Cancer is nothing but a tumor that is caused by an abnormal and uncontrolled cell division and can spread to any region of the body, through the blood stream or the lymphatic system. These abnormal cells in the thyroid region are referred to as thyroid nodules. It is important to remember that almost 99% of the nodules that get developed are not carcinogenic.

Signs and Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer

In its early stage, thyroid cancer doesn't necessarily show any major symptom. There are several visible symptoms that the patient tends to brush off and they are:

• Pain in throat and neck.
• Difficulty in breathing and talking.
• Hypertrophied lymph nodes.
• Hoarseness of voice, difficulty in normal speech.
• Lasting cough without any sign of cold.
• Symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
• Symptoms of hypothyroidism.
• Goiter (Benign enlargement of thyroid gland).
• Infection of thyroid gland and various such thyroid problems.

Types of Thyroid Cancer

There are four major types of thyroid cancer that are classified on the basis of their location, within the thyroid gland. It should be noted that women are at a higher risk of getting thyroid cancer.

Papillary Thyroid Cancer
The papillary tumors are formed in the cells that produce triiodothyronine or T₃ (thyroid hormone that contain iodine). This type of thyroid cancer grows slowly, forging numerous small tumors in the shape of mushrooms. Papillary cancer occurs mostly in women, in the age group of 30-40. This type of cancer is mostly curable, provided that it gets detected early.

Follicular Thyroid Cancer
Follicular thyroid cancer occurs in the triiodothyronine region among the women belonging to the age group of 50 and above. The tumors of follicular cancer have a thin tissue layer around them, which is referred to as a 'capsule'. Follicular tumors are curable if they have not infected the blood vessels and the adjoining structure of the neck.

Medullary Thyroid Cancer
More than 25% of the medullary thyroid cancer cases have genetics working behind them. These tumors grow slowly within the region of thyroxine or T₄ and are very hard to control. Medullary thyroid cancer has high chances of spreading through the other body parts. The survival rate of the patients suffering from this type of cancer is very low because these tumors can be diagnosed only at a very later stage.

Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
Anaplastic thyroid tumors are the fastest growing ones, amongst all. This type of thyroid cancer has a very low rate of prognosis, which is just 14%. Anaplastic cancer is very aggressive and it mostly doesn't respond to the cancer treatments.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer is obviously, always found in the thyroid nodules, so the prime advice is, not to overlook any symptoms of it. The accurate diagnosis with the help of certain well performed medical tests, such as blood tests named Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH blood test), fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), thyroid scan and surgical biopsy of the dubious nodules, should be done.

There are certain basic methods that help in curing the thyroid cancer, such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation and surgery. No matter the availability of the curative measures and the hypothetical prognosis, it is best advised, not to disregard any symptoms that may sound like thyroid problem. Remember, thyroid cancer diagnosed at an early stage, can be cured.