Papillary thyroid cancer (patient information): Difference between revisions
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'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Papillary thyroid cancer|here]]''' | '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Papillary thyroid cancer|here]]''' | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck which makes hormones to help the body work normally. | Thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck which makes hormones to help the body work normally. papillary thyroid cancer is a cancer that starts in the thyroid gland. papillary thyroid cancer doesn't have any early symptoms. With the development of tne cancer, usual symptoms include a [[lump]] that can be felt through the skin on your neck, [[hoarseness]], difficulty swallowing, [[pain]] in the neck and throat and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Treatments include [[surgery]], [[radiation therapy]], [[chemotherapy]], thyroid hormone therapy or a combination of them. | ||
==What are the symptoms of | ==What are the symptoms of papillary thyroid cancer?== | ||
Early papillary thyroid cancer does not have any symptoms. As the tumor grows larger, people may notice one or more of the following symptoms: | Early papillary thyroid cancer does not have any symptoms. As the tumor grows larger, people may notice one or more of the following symptoms: | ||
:*A nodule, [[lump]], or swelling in the neck | :*A nodule, [[lump]], or swelling in the neck | ||
==What causes | ==What causes papillary thyroid cancer?== | ||
People who have had radiation therapy to the neck are at higher risk. Radiation therapy was commonly used in the 1950s to treat enlarged thymus glands, adenoids and tonsils, and skin disorders. People who received radiation therapy as children are at increased risk for developing | People who have had radiation therapy to the neck are at higher risk. Radiation therapy was commonly used in the 1950s to treat enlarged thymus glands, adenoids and tonsils, and skin disorders. People who received radiation therapy as children are at increased risk for developing papillary thyroid cancer. | ||
papillary thyroid cancer can occur in all age groups. | |||
Other risk factors are a family history of | Other risk factors are a family history of papillary thyroid cancer and chronic goiter. | ||
There are several types of | There are several types of papillary thyroid cancer: | ||
* Minimally differentiated | * Minimally differentiated | ||
* Widely differentiated | * Widely differentiated | ||
==Who is at highest risk?== | ==Who is at highest risk?== | ||
Clinical data have suggested that the development of | Clinical data have suggested that the development of papillary thyroid cancer is related to several factors. | ||
:*A diet low in iodine: Clinical survey show | :*A diet low in iodine: Clinical survey show papillary thyroid cancers are more common in areas where people's diets are low in iodine. | ||
:*Radiation: Scientists has proven that radiation exposure is a risk factor for | :*Radiation: Scientists has proven that radiation exposure is a risk factor for papillary thyroid cancer. Such radiation includes medical treatments and radiation fallout from power plant accidents or nuclear weapons. | ||
:*Hereditary conditions: Studies show people with certain inherited medical conditions such as Gardner syndrome, Cowden disease, and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) are at higher risk of developing | :*Hereditary conditions: Studies show people with certain inherited medical conditions such as Gardner syndrome, Cowden disease, and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) are at higher risk of developing papillary thyroid cancer. | ||
:*Gender: Contrary to other cancers, | :*Gender: Contrary to other cancers, papillary thyroid cancers occur more often in women than in men. | ||
:*Age: Clinical data show that papillary and | :*Age: Clinical data show that papillary and papillary thyroid cancer are usually found in people between the ages of 20 and 60 years. | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
| Line 54: | Line 54: | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
In order to diagnose | In order to diagnose papillary thyroid cancer, your doctor may suggest you the following tests: | ||
:*Thyroid hormones tests: Thyroid hormones including F3, F4, FF3, FF4 and TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) are needed to assess thyroid gland function. | :*Thyroid hormones tests: Thyroid hormones including F3, F4, FF3, FF4 and TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) are needed to assess thyroid gland function. | ||
:*Fine needle aspiration [[biopsy]]: The doctor places a thin, hollow needle directly into the nodule to take out cells and repeats twice or three times to receive samples from several areas of the nodule. Then these cells can be checked under a microscope to see whether cancerous or benign. | :*Fine needle aspiration [[biopsy]]: The doctor places a thin, hollow needle directly into the nodule to take out cells and repeats twice or three times to receive samples from several areas of the nodule. Then these cells can be checked under a microscope to see whether cancerous or benign. | ||
:*Thyroid gland radioiodine scan: During this test, the doctors put substances with small amounts of radiation into your body and detect the location of the substances. The test can help locate abnormal cells in the body. | :*Thyroid gland radioiodine scan: During this test, the doctors put substances with small amounts of radiation into your body and detect the location of the substances. The test can help locate abnormal cells in the body. | ||
:*Computed tomography (CT) scan and biopsy: CT scans are often used to diagnose | :*Computed tomography (CT) scan and biopsy: CT scans are often used to diagnose papillary thyroid cancer. It can help determine the location and size of papillary thyroid cancers and whether they have spread to nearby or distant areas. These are helpful for identifying the stage of the cancer and in determining whether surgery is a good treatment option. CT scans can also be used to guide biopsy and a biopsy sample is usually removed and looked at under a microscope. | ||
:*Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI uses magnetic fields but it is a different type of image than what is produced by computed tomography (CT) and produces very detailed images of soft tissues such as the thyroid glands. Like computed tomography (CT), a contrast agent may be injected into a patient’s vein to create a better picture. | :*Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI uses magnetic fields but it is a different type of image than what is produced by computed tomography (CT) and produces very detailed images of soft tissues such as the thyroid glands. Like computed tomography (CT), a contrast agent may be injected into a patient’s vein to create a better picture. | ||
:*Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: When doing this test, a small amount of a radioactive medium is injected into your body and absorbed by the organs or tissues. This radioactive substance gives off energy which in turn is used to produce the images. PET can provide more helpful information than either CT or MRI scans. It is useful to see if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and it is also useful for your doctor to locate where the cancer has spread. | :*Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: When doing this test, a small amount of a radioactive medium is injected into your body and absorbed by the organs or tissues. This radioactive substance gives off energy which in turn is used to produce the images. PET can provide more helpful information than either CT or MRI scans. It is useful to see if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and it is also useful for your doctor to locate where the cancer has spread. | ||
Patients with | Patients with papillary thyroid cancer have many treatment options. The selection depends on the stage of the tumor. The options are surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, thyroid hormone treatment, or a combination of these methods. Before treatment starts, ask your health care team about possible side effects and how treatment may change your normal activities. Because cancer treatments often damage healthy cells and tissues, side effects are common. Side effects may not be the same for each person, and they may change from one treatment session to the next. | ||
:*[[Surgery]]: Surgery is the main treatment for | :*[[Surgery]]: Surgery is the main treatment for papillary thyroid cancer. Usually, surgery of removing the tumor and all or part of the remaining thyroid gland is recommended. | ||
:*[[Radiation therapy]]: It includes radioactive Iodine (Radioiodine) therapy and external beam radiation therapy. Radioactive iodine (RAI) known as I-131 can be taken into the body to destroy the thyroid gland and any other thyroid cells including cancer cells. During external beam radiation therapy, the doctors use high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells or slow their rate of growth. | :*[[Radiation therapy]]: It includes radioactive Iodine (Radioiodine) therapy and external beam radiation therapy. Radioactive iodine (RAI) known as I-131 can be taken into the body to destroy the thyroid gland and any other thyroid cells including cancer cells. During external beam radiation therapy, the doctors use high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells or slow their rate of growth. | ||
:*[[Chemotherapy]]: Chemotherapy is seldom helpful for most types of | :*[[Chemotherapy]]: Chemotherapy is seldom helpful for most types of papillary thyroid cancer. | ||
:*Thyroid hormone therapy: This treatment is to take daily pills of thyroid hormone. The aim is to help maintain the body's normal metabolism (by replacing missing thyroid hormone) and prevent some thyroid cancers from returning. | :*Thyroid hormone therapy: This treatment is to take daily pills of thyroid hormone. The aim is to help maintain the body's normal metabolism (by replacing missing thyroid hormone) and prevent some thyroid cancers from returning. | ||
| Line 74: | Line 74: | ||
|MedCond =thyroid cancer|Liraglutide}} | |MedCond =thyroid cancer|Liraglutide}} | ||
==Where to find medical care for | ==Where to find medical care for papillary thyroid cancer?== | ||
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|thyroid cancer}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating thyroid cancer] | [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|thyroid cancer}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating thyroid cancer] | ||
==Prevention of | ==Prevention of papillary thyroid cancer== | ||
The reasons for the development of | The reasons for the development of papillary thyroid cancer are not clear. Epidemiological data show the following may be helpful: | ||
:*Avoidance of diets low in iodine | :*Avoidance of diets low in iodine | ||
| Line 85: | Line 85: | ||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
The prognosis of | The prognosis of papillary thyroid cancer depends on the following: | ||
:*The stage of the cancer: the size of the tumor, whether the cancer has spread outside the thyroid gland | :*The stage of the cancer: the size of the tumor, whether the cancer has spread outside the thyroid gland | ||
Revision as of 16:22, 4 November 2015
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Papillary thyroid cancer |
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Papillary thyroid cancer On the Web |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Papillary thyroid cancer |
Template:WikiDoc Sources
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ammu Susheela, M.D. [2]
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Overview
Thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck which makes hormones to help the body work normally. papillary thyroid cancer is a cancer that starts in the thyroid gland. papillary thyroid cancer doesn't have any early symptoms. With the development of tne cancer, usual symptoms include a lump that can be felt through the skin on your neck, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, pain in the neck and throat and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, thyroid hormone therapy or a combination of them.
What are the symptoms of papillary thyroid cancer?
Early papillary thyroid cancer does not have any symptoms. As the tumor grows larger, people may notice one or more of the following symptoms:
- A nodule, lump, or swelling in the neck
What causes papillary thyroid cancer?
People who have had radiation therapy to the neck are at higher risk. Radiation therapy was commonly used in the 1950s to treat enlarged thymus glands, adenoids and tonsils, and skin disorders. People who received radiation therapy as children are at increased risk for developing papillary thyroid cancer.
papillary thyroid cancer can occur in all age groups.
Other risk factors are a family history of papillary thyroid cancer and chronic goiter.
There are several types of papillary thyroid cancer:
- Minimally differentiated
- Widely differentiated
Who is at highest risk?
Clinical data have suggested that the development of papillary thyroid cancer is related to several factors.
- A diet low in iodine: Clinical survey show papillary thyroid cancers are more common in areas where people's diets are low in iodine.
- Radiation: Scientists has proven that radiation exposure is a risk factor for papillary thyroid cancer. Such radiation includes medical treatments and radiation fallout from power plant accidents or nuclear weapons.
- Hereditary conditions: Studies show people with certain inherited medical conditions such as Gardner syndrome, Cowden disease, and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) are at higher risk of developing papillary thyroid cancer.
- Gender: Contrary to other cancers, papillary thyroid cancers occur more often in women than in men.
- Age: Clinical data show that papillary and papillary thyroid cancer are usually found in people between the ages of 20 and 60 years.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will perform a physical exam. This may reveal a lump in the thyroid, or swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
The following tests may be done:
- Calcitonin blood test to check for medullary cancer
- Thyroglobulin blood test to check for papillary or follicular cancer
- Laryngoscopy
- Thyroid biopsy
- Thyroid scan
- Ultrasound of the thyroid
This disease may also affect the results of the following thyroid function tests:
- T3
- T4
- TSH
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your health care provider if symptoms of thyroid cancer develop.
Treatment options
In order to diagnose papillary thyroid cancer, your doctor may suggest you the following tests:
- Thyroid hormones tests: Thyroid hormones including F3, F4, FF3, FF4 and TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) are needed to assess thyroid gland function.
- Fine needle aspiration biopsy: The doctor places a thin, hollow needle directly into the nodule to take out cells and repeats twice or three times to receive samples from several areas of the nodule. Then these cells can be checked under a microscope to see whether cancerous or benign.
- Thyroid gland radioiodine scan: During this test, the doctors put substances with small amounts of radiation into your body and detect the location of the substances. The test can help locate abnormal cells in the body.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan and biopsy: CT scans are often used to diagnose papillary thyroid cancer. It can help determine the location and size of papillary thyroid cancers and whether they have spread to nearby or distant areas. These are helpful for identifying the stage of the cancer and in determining whether surgery is a good treatment option. CT scans can also be used to guide biopsy and a biopsy sample is usually removed and looked at under a microscope.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI uses magnetic fields but it is a different type of image than what is produced by computed tomography (CT) and produces very detailed images of soft tissues such as the thyroid glands. Like computed tomography (CT), a contrast agent may be injected into a patient’s vein to create a better picture.
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: When doing this test, a small amount of a radioactive medium is injected into your body and absorbed by the organs or tissues. This radioactive substance gives off energy which in turn is used to produce the images. PET can provide more helpful information than either CT or MRI scans. It is useful to see if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and it is also useful for your doctor to locate where the cancer has spread.
Patients with papillary thyroid cancer have many treatment options. The selection depends on the stage of the tumor. The options are surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, thyroid hormone treatment, or a combination of these methods. Before treatment starts, ask your health care team about possible side effects and how treatment may change your normal activities. Because cancer treatments often damage healthy cells and tissues, side effects are common. Side effects may not be the same for each person, and they may change from one treatment session to the next.
- Surgery: Surgery is the main treatment for papillary thyroid cancer. Usually, surgery of removing the tumor and all or part of the remaining thyroid gland is recommended.
- Radiation therapy: It includes radioactive Iodine (Radioiodine) therapy and external beam radiation therapy. Radioactive iodine (RAI) known as I-131 can be taken into the body to destroy the thyroid gland and any other thyroid cells including cancer cells. During external beam radiation therapy, the doctors use high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells or slow their rate of growth.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is seldom helpful for most types of papillary thyroid cancer.
- Thyroid hormone therapy: This treatment is to take daily pills of thyroid hormone. The aim is to help maintain the body's normal metabolism (by replacing missing thyroid hormone) and prevent some thyroid cancers from returning.
Medications to avoid
Patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer should avoid using the following medications:
- Liraglutide
If you have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, consult your physician before starting or stopping any of these medications.
Where to find medical care for papillary thyroid cancer?
Directions to Hospitals Treating thyroid cancer
Prevention of papillary thyroid cancer
The reasons for the development of papillary thyroid cancer are not clear. Epidemiological data show the following may be helpful:
- Avoidance of diets low in iodine
- Avoidance of radiation exposure
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
The prognosis of papillary thyroid cancer depends on the following:
- The stage of the cancer: the size of the tumor, whether the cancer has spread outside the thyroid gland
- Whether or not the tumor can be removed by surgery
- The patient’s general health
Possible complications
- Injury to the voice box and hoarseness after thryoid surgery
- Low calcium levels from accidental removal of the parathyroid glands during surgery
- Spread of the cancer to the lungs, bones, or other parts of the body
Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001213.htm http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/thyroidcancer.html