Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Description
The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland that looks like a butterfly and is commonly 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.
The most typical kind of thyroid cancer is papillary. At any age, papillary thyroid carcinoma can develop. It frequently spreads to the lymph nodes in the neck and grows slowly. Even if papillary carcinoma has progressed to the lymph nodes, the prognosis is typically very good.
Papillary thyroid carcinoma makes up between 70 and 80 percent of all thyroid cancer cases.
Symptoms
Most thyroid cancers have no symptoms or signs in the early stages. As thyroid cancer spreads, it could result in :
- A lump (nodule) that can be felt through the skin on your neck
- A feeling that close-fitting shirt collars are becoming too tight
- Changes to your voice, including increasing 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
Papillary thyroid cancer's specific etiology is still unknown, but scientists have identified risk factors that raise your likelihood of acquiring PTC, such as :
- Certain genetic conditions, Familial syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)or Gardner syndrome, Cowden disease, Carney complex type I and Werner syndrome
- Ionizing radiation
- Hashimoto thyroiditis
- Obesity
Diagnostics
Thyroid cancer is diagnosed using a variety of tests and procedures, including :
- Physical exam
- Thyroid function blood tests: like the Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test
- Imaging studies :
- Ultrasound imaging
- An imaging test that uses a radioactive tracer
- CT
- MRI
- Biopsy: For tumor confirmation
- Genetic testing
A pathologist will examine the sample's cells under a microscope to determine the type of tumor and its stage.
Treatment
- Surgery : Surgery to remove the thyroid is the most typical treatment for all types of thyroid cancer :
- Part of the gland where the tumor is (lobectomy)
- The entire gland (total thyroidectomy)
- Nearby lymph nodes if cancer has spread to your lymph nodes
- Radioiodine (radioactive iodine) therapy
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
Your Diabetes and Endocrinology doctor will advise thyroid hormone replacement therapy if you undergo a total thyroidectomy.
