Thyroid gland; It is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located in the front of the neck, in front of the trachea. This gland, where thyroid hormones are produced, ensures the proper functioning of tissues and organs in the body. Thyroid cancer is defined as malignant tissue formed by the uncontrolled division of cells that make up the structure of the thyroid gland. Although the cause of thyroid cancer, which is rarer than other types of cancer, is unknown, it is more common in women. In addition, thyroid cancer can occur at an early age and is a type of cancer that can be cured with surgical treatment when diagnosed early. Therefore, the death rate of thyroid cancer is much lower than other cancers.

 

Types of Thyroid Cancer

Types of thyroid cancer; There are 4 types: papillary, follicular, medullary and anaplastic. The frequency of their occurrence differs from each other.

 

Papillary Thyroid Cancer

It is the most common type of thyroid cancer, occurring in 80-90% of cases. Papillary thyroid cancer, which can be seen at any age, most commonly occurs between the ages of 30-40. This cancer, which usually has a good course and grows slowly, may not show symptoms for a long time and continues to exist in the person for years without resulting in death.

 

Papillary thyroid cancer metastasis usually occurs to the lymph nodes and lungs. It is a cancer that can be completely cured with surgery. In advanced stage, patients who have spread to lymph nodes, radioactive iodine (colloquially atomic) treatment may be required in addition to surgical treatment.

 

Follicular Thyroid Cancer

It is the second most common type of cancer among thyroid cancers. Follicular thyroid cancer that spreads through the bloodstream accounts for 5-10% of thyroid cancers.

 

This type of cancer, which is more common in the 50s, also grows slowly. Although the incidence rates vary at the first diagnosis, there is a possibility that the cancer may spread to the lungs, bones and, to a lesser extent, the brain and liver.

Its treatment can generally be provided by complete removal of the thyroid gland. Radioactive iodine treatment may be necessary in metastasis cases.

Medullary Thyroid Cancer

It arises from parafollicular C cells that occupy a very small space in the thyroid gland. Those with medullary thyroid cancer have abnormally high levels of the hormone calcitonin in their blood.

Usually, the level of calcium in the blood drops and related symptoms occur. The main effect of calcitonin is to reduce bone resorption by affecting the number and functioning of osteoclast cells in bones.

For this reason, medullary thyroid cancer can be diagnosed more easily than other silently growing types. This cancer, which is seen in about 2% of thyroid cancer cases, grows slowly but has a tendency to metastasize. The feature that distinguishes medullary thyroid cancer, which can be seen in the future like other thyroid cancers, is the possibility of being hereditary.

It can progress with other tumors in some familial disease syndromes. For this cancer, which is passed down from generation to generation, it is necessary to have a genetic mutation test.

 

Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

Anaplastic thyroid cancer is the rarest type of thyroid cancer. It constitutes 2% of thyroid cancers. It is a very fast and rapidly spreading tumor. There is usually no chance of surgery in this disease.

Because when the diagnosis is made, the tumor has spread too much. Radiotherapy or chemotherapy can be applied to relieve patients.