Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma
Description
The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland with the appearance of a butterfly that is often found in the lower front of the neck. The thyroid's function is to produce thyroid hormones, which aid in maintaining appropriate brain, heart, muscle, and other organ function as well as energy metabolism and body temperature.
After papillary carcinoma, follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) is considered the second most frequent thyroid malignancy. Differentiated thyroid tumors, which account for 95% of instances of thyroid cancer, are follicular and papillary thyroid cancers. The lungs and bones in particular are among the distant organs where follicular cancer can spread through the blood.
Follicular thyroid carcinoma accounts for 10% to 15% of all thyroid cancers.
Symptoms
Early in the disease, most thyroid cancers don't show any signs or symptoms. As thyroid cancer spreads, it could result in :
- A palpable lump (nodule) through the skin on your neck
- A sensation that tightly fitting shirt collars are getting too tight
- Modifications to your voice, including an increase in hoarseness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Swollen lymph nodes in your neck
- Pain in your neck and throat
Book an appointment with your Diabetes and Endocrinology doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
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View MoreCauses
When cells in the thyroid gland develop improperly, follicular carcinoma results. Sometimes the causes of certain cancers are unknown to medical professionals. People who were exposed to radiation, such as if they underwent radiation therapy or work near radiation, are more likely to get thyroid cancer. Various radiation types include :
- X-ray beams, especially when young
- Irradiation therapy
- Radiotherapy for several kinds of head and neck cancer
Diagnostics
During a physical examination, your specialist for Diabetes and Endocrinology can find a bump in your neck.
Laboratory studies :
- TSH
- Thyroxine
- Triiodothyronine
- Serum levels of thyroglobulin, calcium, and calcitonin
Imaging :
- CT scan
- MRI
- Ultrasound
- X-ray
- Biopsy: For tumor confirmation
A pathologist will examine the sample's cells under a microscope to determine the type of tumor and its stage.
Treatment
- Surgery : All forms of thyroid cancer are treated with surgery to remove :
- A lobectomy, which removes a portion of the affected gland
- A total glandectomy (total thyroidectomy)
- Nearby lymph nodes if your lymph nodes have been affected by cancer.
- Radioiodine (radioactive iodine) therapy
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Thyroid hormone therapy
- Targeted therapy (drugs that kill specific cancer cells)
Your Diabetes and Endocrinology doctor may advise extra treatment following surgery depending on the stage of the cancer and whether it has spread to other organs.
