Thyroid Cancer – Causes and Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer can occur in any age group, although it is most common after age 30 and its aggressiveness increases significantly in older patients. The majority of patients present with a nodule on their thyroid which typically does not cause symptoms. Remember, over 99% of thyroid nodules are not cancer! But, when a thyroid cancer does begin to grow within a thyroid gland, it almost always does so within a discrete nodule within the thyroid.

The thyroid gland is located on the anterior aspect (front) of the neck. It can be felt just below the thyroid cartilage, or "Adam's apple". It is a butterfly shaped organ that stretches across the midline of the neck just below the Adam's apple, with its "wings" spreading superiorly (towards the head) on either side of the Adam's apple. These "wings" are called the lobes of the thyroid, with the portion extending across midline called the isthmus. As an endocrine gland, the thyroid gland produces and secretes thyroid hormones into the bloodstream.

Thyroid cancer develops in your thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck, just below your Adam's apple. Although your thyroid gland is small, it produces hormones that regulate every aspect of your metabolism, from your heart rate to how quickly you burn calories. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, just above your collarbone. It makes hormones that help the body work normally. Anyone can get cancer of the thyroid gland. But certain factors may increase the risk.

Causes of Thyroid Cancer

Most cases occur between 25 and 65 years of age, and the age at diagnosis is one of the most important factors in predicting prognosis. Men under 40 and women under 50 have significantly lower rates of recurrence and better survival rates than older persons.

The thyroid gland is located on the anterior aspect (front) of the neck. It can be felt just below the thyroid cartilage, or "Adam's apple". It is a butterfly shaped organ that stretches across the midline of the neck just below the Adam's apple, with its "wings" spreading superiorly (towards the head) on either side of the Adam's apple. These "wings" are called the lobes of the thyroid, with the portion extending across midline called the isthmus. As an endocrine gland, the thyroid gland produces and secretes thyroid hormones into the bloodstream.

Thyroid cancer is more common in people who have a history of exposure of the thyroid gland to radiation, have a family history of
thyroid cancer, and are older than 40 years of age. However, for most patients, we do not know the specific reason why they develop thyroid
cancer.

Papillary and follicular cancers develop in follicle cells. They account for the great majority of thyroid cancers, can usually be completely removed with surgery and generally result in an excellent prognosis. Medullary cancer, on the other hand, arises in the thyroid's C cells and is generally more aggressive and harder to treat than papillary and follicular cancers are.

Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer

Pain in the throat or neck that may extend to the ears.
A lump at the base of your neck
A hoarse voice that does not get better
Sore throat or difficulty swallowing that does not get better
A lump elsewhere in your neck
Nodules should be of particular concern when they are found in children or those under the age of 20. The presentation of benign nodules at this age is less likely, and thus the potential for malignancy is far greater.
Most thyroid lumps are not cancer. It is not unusual for older people to have small lumps in their thyroid glands called nodules. As many as 9 out of 10 women over 70 will have these. Only about 1 in 20 thyroid lumps are cancer. An enlarged thyroid gland that is not cancer is sometimes called a goitre. 

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Corwin Brown

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