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Types of Thyroid Cancer and How They’re Treated
By Raveena M Prakash
Thyroid cancer is a complex and serious health concern that affects many people across the globe. These cancers and their health complexities are usually linked to their specific type, their stage, the personal health condition of the patient at the time of diagnosis, and their treatment options.
In this blog, we’ll discover the types of thyroid cancer and their treatment options and their role in influencing the treatment options in patients!
What is Thyroid cancer?
Thyroid cancer occurs when cells in the thyroid begin to grow out of control. Thyroid cancer, a type of endocrine cancer, is generally considered treatable with a high cure rate when detected in early stages. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that makes the hormones controlling metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature.
Many studies have shown that many types of these cancers have excellent treatment outcomes, especially if detected early.
How treatment differs by type of cancer
Here’s how treatment modalities and its outcomes differs by the type of cancer, including:
Differentiated (Papillary/ Follicular)
These types of cancers often arise from the thyroid cells that produce thyroid hormones, including follicular cells. These types of cancers have a better prognosis than other types.
Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC)
This is the most common type of cancer, which accounts for approximately 80% of all thyroid cancer. These types of cancers tend to grow slowly and often start to spread to the lymph nodes in the neck but still have a good prognosis. Because of its behavior, these treatments often appeared as less aggressive, depending on the size or stage.
Follicular thyroid carcinoma
This type of cancer accounts for approximately 10% of all cancers, which is more likely than papillary to spread to distant sites, including lung and bone, though still often treatable.
There is a type of variant called Hurthle cell carcinoma or oncocytic, which behaves somewhat differently and might have poorer prognosis.
Medullary Thyroid cancer
These types of cancers develop from C-cells, also known as parafollicular cells of the thyroid, which make the hormone calcitonin. These cancers account for about 4% of all cancers. It has a genetic component in some cases; for example, the RET gene. The testing is often recommended. The treatment and prognosis often differ for the differentiated types.
Anaplastic Thyroid cancer
This is a rare, aggressive form of cancer, which accounts for approximately 1% of all cancers. It grows and spreads quickly and historically has had a poorer prognosis. Because of its nature, it often requires an aggressive and multimodality treatment.
Why does type matter?
Understanding the type of thyroid cancer is considered critical because it influences how likely the cancer is to spread or recur in patients. It helps to determine what types of treatments will work best in patients. For example, in some types of cancers, it responds well to radioactive iodine, while others don’t respond well. However, it often influences the follow-up, monitoring, and prognosis in patients.
Treatment options
The treatment mainly depends on several factors including the cancer type, stage and how it has spread in the patient, and patient’s age and health, and preferences.
Here are some of the treatment options and how they are used in patients, including:
Key treatment modalities
Surgery
This is the most common and first-line treatment used in patients. Surgical procedures such as lobectomy, which includes removing one lobe of the thyroid, or total/near-total thyroidectomy, which is removing the entire gland.
Radioactive Iodine Therapy
In this procedure, a healthcare provider uses iodine-31 to destroy thyroid/ cancer cells because these thyroid cells start to absorb iodine. These treatments are effective mainly in differentiated thyroid cancers which include papillary and follicular.
External Beam Radiation Therapy
These types of treatments are often used in patients, and this radiation is often used outside the body. These are highly useful in more advanced or aggressive cases or where surgery or RAI are less effective.
Targeted therapy / Systemic therapy
For advanced/ metastatic types of cancers when standard cancer treatment won’t work, there are new types of drugs used, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Active surveillance
For very small percentages of low-risk cancers, monitoring is considered as an option rather than an immediate surgery.
Why early diagnosis and personalized treatment matters!
Early detection, especially for differentiated types, gives good treatment outcomes because many of these cancers respond well to these standard cancer treatments. While understanding various types of cancers help in selecting the best treatment and avoiding unnecessary treatments.
However, a patient's overall health and preference matters a lot, for example; undergoing an active surveillance might be considered for a low risk cancer case. Many healthcare providers choose close follow-up and monitoring are important because even after the initial treatment, these cancers can recur or spread in some cases.
Key tips for patients and caregivers
Understand that many of these cancers, especially the differentiated types of cancer, have excellent prognoses when treated appropriately. Try to pay attention to follow-up care, thyroid hormone cells, and imaging tumor markers.
If there is a hereditary type, which is a medullary thyroid cancer, then understand that genetic testing and testing may be important.
If you or any loved ones of yours are diagnosed with these cancer, then ask your doctors, following questions.
These may include:
- What types of thyroid cancer is, for example, papillary, follicular, medullary and anaplastic?
- Ask about the stage, whether lymph nodes or distant organs are involved?
- Try to ask about your treatment plan?
- Is surgery being recommended in patients?
- Will radioactive iodine be used?
- Will hormone therapy be needed in your case?
- Are there any types of active surveillance recommended?
- If your cancer is advanced, are there any types of targeted therapies available ?
Consult Today
Thyroid cancer is not a single disease; it's a set of different diseases with different cells of a cancerous origin, behaviors, and treatment modalities. The types and stages of cancer help to guide how healthcare providers decide the treatments for patients. While these cancers, especially the different types, are considered treatable and often curable. Whether you or any loved ones of yours are diagnosed with this cancer, with the right information, patients and caregivers can discuss confidently with their care team and participate actively in decisions about the treatment plan.
At Oncare, we offer premium-quality cancer treatments, including advanced cancer surgeries at an affordable price range with an experienced cancer specialist consultation.
If you or any loved ones of yours are diagnosed with cancer, then visit Oncare Cancer Center and book an appointment with our experienced cancer specialist today! Get an estimated cost of your cancer treatments today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans: Here are some of the causes of thyroid cancer, including:
- Enlarged thyroid cancer (goiter)
- A family history of thyroid cancer
- Thyroiditis
- Gene mutations
- Low iodine intake
- Obesity (high body mass index)
- Exposed with radiation therapy for head and neck cancer, during childhood
- Exposure to radioactive fallout
Ans: Here are some of the tests and diagnostic methods used to diagnose these cancers, including:
- Blood tests
- Biopsy
- Radioiodine scan
- Imaging scans
Ans: Here are some of treatments options used for this cancer, including:
- Surgery
- Radioiodine therapy
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy
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