Today, research on thyroid cancer and advances in treatment options enable early diagnosis and effective treatment of the disease. Various methods such as radioactive iodine therapy, surgical intervention and hormone replacement therapy are successfully applied in the treatment of thyroid cancer. It is also understood that genetic factors and environmental factors can affect the risk of thyroid cancer, making it important for individuals to evaluate their personal health history and undergo regular health check-ups.
Thyroid cancer is a type of cancer that occurs as a result of abnormal growth and proliferation in thyroid gland cells. This gland is an important organ located in the lower part of the neck and produces hormones that regulate metabolism in the body. Thyroid cancer is a type of cancer that usually grows slowly and can be diagnosed in the early stages. Symptoms of the disease can often be vague or similar to other thyroid problems.
Symptoms of thyroid cancer may include a swelling or lump in the neck, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, discomfort in the throat, and sometimes enlarged neck lymph nodes. Diagnosis is usually made by methods such as ultrasound, blood tests and biopsy. Treatment may include methods such as surgical intervention, radiotherapy, and radioactive iodine treatment, depending on the type, size, and spread of the tumor. Since every patient is different, the treatment plan is determined by the individual situation.
What causes thyroid cancer?
Although the exact cause of thyroid cancer is not known clearly, it is thought to occur as a result of the interaction of several factors. People with a family history of thyroid cancer may have an increased risk of cancer due to genetic predisposition. However, genetic factors alone do not directly cause thyroid cancer and play a role together with other factors in the development of the disease. High doses of radiation applied to the head and neck area, especially in childhood, may increase the risk of thyroid cancer.
Nodules in the thyroid gland or certain diseases that affect thyroid tissue may increase the risk of cancer. Environmental factors such as smoking, exposure to chemicals, or some industrial factors may also affect the risk of thyroid cancer. It is thought that factors such as diet, lifestyle and hormonal imbalances may also affect the development of thyroid cancer. However, it is not fully understood how these factors affect cancer risk. Although the exact causes of thyroid cancer are still unclear, it is generally thought that several factors come together to contribute to the development of cancer.
How do we know if we have thyroid cancer?
Symptoms of thyroid cancer can often be vague or similar to symptoms of other thyroid diseases. These may include the feeling of a lump or nodule in the neck, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, discomfort in the throat, and sometimes enlargement of neck lymph nodes. These symptoms may be associated with thyroid cancer, but it does not mean that everyone with a thyroid nodule has cancer. Symptoms of thyroid cancer can often be vague or similar to symptoms of other thyroid diseases. Symptoms of thyroid cancer may include:
- Feeling of swelling or nodule in the neck.
- Hoarseness or change in voice.
- Difficulty swallowing or discomfort in the throat.
- Ongoing pain in the throat or neck.
- Difficulty breathing.
- A swelling on the front of the neck that appears as the tumor grows.
- A cough that is not necessarily triggered by anything else.
These symptoms may be associated with thyroid cancer, but it does not mean that everyone with a thyroid nodule has cancer. These symptoms may also be related to different thyroid problems or other health problems. If any of these symptoms persist for a long time or are concerning, it is important to consult a healthcare professional. Your doctor can make the correct diagnosis as a result of appropriate tests and evaluations.
Is thyroid cancer detected in a blood test?
Thyroid cancer is usually not diagnosed directly through blood tests. Blood tests are performed to measure levels of the thyroid hormones TSH, T3 and T4. These tests are used to evaluate the overall function of the thyroid gland and can be helpful in diagnosing thyroid diseases. However, blood tests are not sufficient for direct diagnosis of thyroid cancer.
Diagnosing thyroid cancer usually requires more specific tests such as physical examination, ultrasound, thyroid scintigraphy, and biopsy. Ultrasound imaging is used to evaluate thyroid nodules and determine the possibility of cancer in the nodules, while biopsy (fine needle aspiration or surgical biopsy) is performed to directly examine the cells in the nodule and confirm whether cancer is present.
Diagnosis of thyroid cancer is not usually made by blood tests. However, blood tests play an important role in evaluating thyroid functions and are used in general screening for thyroid diseases.
Where does thyroid cancer spread first?
Thyroid cancer usually starts in the thyroid gland and grows in this area. However, as the cancer progresses and is in advanced stages, it may spread to the lymph nodes. Thyroid cancer can metastasize to the lymph nodes by the spread of the tumor in the gland close to the lymph nodes. Spread to lymph nodes is a common pattern of cancer spread.
Thyroid cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes can usually be noticed as swelling in the neck or lymph node enlargement. This may indicate the progression and spread of cancer. Doctors take this into consideration to evaluate the spread of the cancer and determine the treatment plan. However, not every case of thyroid cancer spreads to the lymph nodes. The spread of thyroid cancer may vary from case to case.
What happens if thyroid cancer goes undetected?
Thyroid cancer often has no symptoms in the early stages, or its symptoms may be confused with other thyroid problems. Therefore, it can be difficult to detect. If thyroid cancer goes undetected or untreated, the condition can progress and lead to potentially serious consequences. In advanced cases of thyroid cancer, the tumor may grow and spread to surrounding tissues or structurally close organs (such as neck tissues, trachea, or esophagus). This can lead to symptoms such as difficulty breathing or swallowing.
When thyroid cancer progresses, it can metastasize to lymph nodes or distant sites (lungs or bones). Metastasis is when cancer spreads to different parts of the body and can affect treatment options and prognosis. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer is important. Treatment success of thyroid cancer cases diagnosed in the early stages is generally higher. If there are symptoms or suspicious findings, it is important to contact a healthcare professional and get evaluated.
What are the symptoms of thyroid cancer lung metastasis?
There may be some symptoms that may occur if thyroid cancer metastasizes to the lungs. Cancer that spreads to the lungs can affect respiratory function and make breathing difficult. In this case, shortness of breath may be felt. Thyroid cancer that has metastasized to the lungs can cause symptoms such as cough and chest pain.
Cancer that has metastasized to the lungs can narrow the airways and wheezing may occur. Metastases in the lungs may manifest as bloody sputum or coughing up blood. Cancer that has spread to the lungs can sometimes be felt as soft tissue masses in or around the chest wall. These symptoms may indicate the presence of thyroid cancer that has metastasized to the lungs, but these symptoms may also be associated with other diseases. If you are experiencing such symptoms or have concerns, it is important to contact a healthcare professional and have a detailed evaluation. Imaging tests and other medical evaluation methods may often be required for a definitive diagnosis.