What is thyroid cancer?

Thyroid cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland just below Adam’s apple.

What are the symptoms of thyroid cancer?

According to Dr. Vikas Goswami, the best oncologist in Nida at Zeeva cancer hospital in Noida, thyroid cancer does not usually show symptoms in the early stage. Still, if it grows severe enough, it may cause the following signs for the patient.

• Difficulty in swallowing
• Facing issues with breathing
• Feeling a lump in the neck
• Changes in voice, usually the voice becomes more hoarse
• Nausea and loss of appetite
• Swollen neck or lymph nodes
• Fast heart rate
• Sudden weight gain or loss

Common types of thyroid cancer

Some common thyroid cancer types, depending on the type of cell from which the cancer usually originates, are as follows.

Papillary Thyroid Cancer or PTC

Papillary Thyroid Cancer is one of the most common type of thyroid cancer, with almost 80 to 85 percent of the cases being Papillary. This cancer has very high rates of being cured through treatment. PTC grows slowly and is more common in women than men.

Follicular Thyroid Cancer or FTC

FTC comprises almost 10 to 15 percent weightage of the total thyroid cancer patients. This cancer is slightly more serious than papillary cancer and can spread to other body parts, like the bones or the other organs. This cancer also has high recovery rates and can be treated successfully.

Medullary Thyroid Cancer or MTC

Medullary cancer is rare, with only about 2 to 4 percent of the total cases of thyroid cancer. MTC is slightly riskier than papillary or follicular thyroid cancers and may need complex treatment procedures, usually involving surgery. Medullary thyroid cancer may pass on genetically from one generation to the next.

Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer or ATC

Anaplastic Thyroid cancer is the rarest of them all, with the composition of only about 1 to 2 percent of the total number of patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer. ATC is more common in women and can spread quickly to surrounding cells and other body parts.

How do doctors make the diagnosis?

A person who faces signs of thyroid cancer should go to an excellent doctor like Dr. Vikas, the best oncologist in Noida at Zeeva cancer hospital in Noida. Diagnosis to confirm the suspicion of the presence of thyroid cancer cells, the following are some common diagnostic procedures.

• Blood test

Blood tests cannot detect the presence of cancer lumps, but they can measure the hormone levels and hence monitor the working of the thyroid gland.

• Ultrasound

Ultrasound with the use of high-frequency sound waves can form an image of the lump that can give an idea to the doctor about whether the lump is cancerous or not.

• Radioiodine scan

A small dose of radioactive iodine is given to the patient through injection or medication, which then reaches and is absorbed by the thyroid gland. The doctor then uses a special device to monitor the amount of radioactive radiation. This can indicate the presence of cancer as the areas of the thyroid gland with less radioactivity are more likely to be cancerous regions.

• CT or CAT scan

This scan uses x-rays to get images of the thyroid gland to determine the presence of cancer and the extent to which cancer has spread.

• PET scan

PET scan involves the ingestion of a special kind of sugar by the patient, which is later observed by the doctor through special cameras. This sugar can come off as hot spots in regions where cancer cells are present.

• MRI scan

MRI scan uses radiowaves to form images and detect the spread of cancer.

• Biopsy

In BiopsyBiopsy, a small sample of the tissue is extracted to be tested for the presence of cancer cells. A biopsy is used for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer which involves the insertion of a fine needle into the nodule to collect a sample tissue for tests to confirm the presence of thyroid cancer.

The Bottom Line

The symptoms and risks of thyroid cancer depend on the severity of cancer, which is often labeled through stages. The stages of the cancer range from one to four, with one being the mildest and four being the most serious. An accurate diagnosis at an early stage can accelerate the recovery as treatment is less complex and risky at an early stage.

To get an accurate diagnosis, visit Dr. Vikas, who is the best oncologist in Noida, at Zeeva clinic, which is the best cancer hospital in Noida. The treatment for thyroid cancer usually involves procedures like chemotherapy, surgery, radiation treatments, hormone control, and so on. To ensure a treatment free from complications, followed by quick recovery, Dr. Vikas Goswami at Zeeva cancer hospital in Noida is a good choice as he is the best oncologist in Noida.