Papillary, Medullary, Anaplastic, Follicular Thyroid Cancer, Thyroid Lymphoma Symptoms, Treatment

Your thyroid gland produces metabolism regulating hormones. This endocrine gland has two lobes spreading outward from the neck, just below your Adam’s apple or larynx. If your thyroid is healthy, then you can barely tell it’s there.

However, should a tumor develop in your thyroid, you’ll feel a lump. Most of these palpable thyroid masses are noncancerous tumors.  But a small number are malignant.

Beyond the lumpy symptom, and as thyroid cancer grows, you may experience some of these other symptoms:

These symptoms don’t automatically mean you have thyroid cancer.  Other conditions can cause the same symptoms, like:

  • goiter
  • thyroiditis
  • benign thyroid nodule
  • thyroid gland infection

Thyroid cancer is brought to you in varying types.  Up next is an overview of each.

Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common type.  Particulars of this cancer are:

  • spreads slowly
  • develops from thyroid follicle cells
  • least dangerous to your health of all
  • typically affects women of childbearing age
  • usually appears as a single mass in one lobe
  • often spread to neck lymph nodes early in its course
  • outlook for recovery is generally excellent when the cancer is small

Follicular thyroid cancer is more aggressive.   The rundown on this cancer is :

  • more likely to come back & spread
  • likely to invade thyroid veins & arteries
  • may spread to other organs ~ lungs & bone
  • tumors don’t normally spread to lymph nodes
  • accounts for about a third of all thyroid cancers
  • affects an older age group than papillary cancer

Medullary thyroid cancer arises from calcitonin-producing C cells of the thyroid. There are three main types:

  • sporadic ~ majority of medullary cancers, mainly affects 40 to 60 age group, not inherited
  • familial ~ inherited, affects only thyroid gland, slower growing, 40 to 60 age group affected
  • multiple endocrine neoplasia ~  inherited, earliest appearing thyroid cancer, often with tumors in other spots

Medullary cancer requires different treatment than the other thyroid cancer types.

Anaplastic thyroid cancer is rare and the most dangerous form of thyroid cancer.  Its specifics are:

  • often not curable surgically & other therapies aren’t usually successful
  • extremely aggressive, spreads rapidly to lymph nodes, trachea, other organs
  • sometimes referred to as undifferentiated cancer, giant & spindle cell cancer
  • appears to develop from an existing, undiagnosed papillary or follicular cancer

Thyroid lymphoma is a rare type of cancer that starts in your immune system.

Treatment varies depending on the type of thyroid cancer.

Surgery is usually the treatment of choice for thyroid cancer.  Your entire thyroid gland is usually removed, what is referred to as a thryoidectomy. If your cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, then they’ll be removed as well.

Radiation therapy is another course of treatment.  It may be done with or without surgery, and is delivered via capsule containing iodine 131. Radioiodine isn’t a treatment option for medullary cancer.

After surgery or radiation, you have to take a thyroid replacement hormone for the rest of your life.

If your cancer doesn’t respond to radiation or has spread, chemotherapy may be used.  Sadly, its not effective for everyone.

With certain types of thyroid cancer that hasn’t spread, recovery is excellent. If not found early, an aplastic thyroid cancer is ordinarily fatal despite treatment.

As with most cancers, the cause of your thyroid cancer may not be clear.  However, there are some distinct risks associated with its development. Radiation exposure, aging process and genetics top the list.

Your exposure to radiation can come from different sources, such as:

  • high doses during radiation treatment
  • atomic weapons tests & nuclear power plant accidents

Radiation therapy was commonly used prior to the 1960s to treat enlarged thymus glands, inflamed adenoids, tonsillitis and skin problems, such as acne and scalp infections.  Those treated are at a greater risk for thyroid cancer.

Other risk factors are:

  • family history of thyroid cancer, goiters, colon polyps
  • women are significantly more likely than men to develop thyroid cancer
  • familial & multiple endocrine neoplasia medullary thyroid cancer has a genetic component
  • inherited conditions ~ Gardner’s syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, Cowden disease

A healthy diet, high in fruits and vegetables and low in animal fat, has a profound affect on reducing your risk for many cancers.  Also, consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, maintenance of a healthy weight and habitual movement are significant cancer prevention measures too.

If ever you feel a lump on your thyroid, then have this symptom checked by your health care provider ASAP.

Thyroid Health Blurbs:

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