Thyroid cancer is a rare type of cancer, affecting women 2-3 times more than men. It's worth noting that the butterfly-shaped thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck, below the Adam's apple, and controls blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, weight, and other vital functions.
Benign thyroid tumors affect all ages, and in this case, the gland may contain more than one tumor. It's also worth noting that if the thyroid is a benign tumor, the tumor does not affect thyroid function; that is, hormones function normally, with neither excess nor decrease in their production.
Malignant tumors of the thyroid gland consist of a single tumor. These tumors usually affect men and women of all ages, but, as we mentioned, they are more common in women. The tumor in this case may or may not be palpable.
Thyroid tumors often have no symptoms in the early stages, but symptoms appear in the later stages. In general, the most important of these symptoms include:
One of the most significant complications that can result is the recurrence of the tumor, despite currently available treatments. This occurs if the tumor spreads to other organs and areas of the body before the thyroid gland is removed. If the tumor reappears, it is most likely to be in the following areas:
Therefore, the specialist doctor recommends periodic blood tests or thyroid scans, the purpose of which is to look for signs of the tumor's recurrence.
This can be used to control tumor growth and reduce symptoms. Generally, drug therapy includes the use of thyroid-suppressing drugs, such as thioridazine, to maintain thyroid hormone levels within normal limits, or targeted therapies that specifically target cancer cells.
Surgery is the most common treatment option for thyroid tumors. It should be noted that this surgery is performed to remove the tumor and involves removing part of the thyroid gland or the entire gland. The type of surgery depends on the size and type of tumor.
Radiation therapy is used in some cases to treat thyroid tumors. This type of treatment targets the tumor with high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells or shrink the tumor.
Radioactive Iodine Therapy: Radioactive iodine is taken orally in the form of clusters or capsules and is absorbed by cancer cells in the thyroid gland, helping to destroy them.
There are some tips that can help prevent thyroid tumors, the most important of which include the following:
It is recommended to have a regular thyroid examination, as the specialist doctor can detect any abnormal changes in the thyroid gland and monitor its health.
It is recommended to eat a healthy and balanced diet containing a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy proteins, as this can help maintain thyroid health.
Excessive exposure to radiation should be avoided, especially in areas such as the head and neck, as radiation exposure may increase the risk of thyroid tumors.
Predisposing factors that increase the risk of thyroid tumors, such as smoking and genetic factors, should be controlled.
If there is a family history of thyroid tumors or any abnormal symptoms, a specialist should be consulted for regular examination and evaluation.
English
