Thyroid cancer threatens women more

Early diagnosis of thyroid cancer, which is more common in women in the community, increases the chance of success of treatment. Among the most important risk factors for thyroid cancer, which raises suspicion with symptoms such as hoarseness, difficulty in breathing and swallowing, there are family history, radiation to the neck and mutations at the cellular level.

It is 4 times more common in women than in men

The tumours of normal thyroid cells in the thyroid gland, which are butterfly-shaped and located in the lower part of the neck, that turn into abnormal cells and emerge with uncontrolled growth are called thyroid cancer. While approximately 5 percent of all thyroid nodules seen in the society turn into thyroid cancer, this cancer is 4 times more common in women than in men.

Attention to the feeling of growth and swelling!

The feeling of growth and swelling in the anterior part of the neck, where the thyroid gland is located, is the most common symptom of thyroid cancer. Apart from this, in some cases, compression symptoms such as feeling stuck during swallowing, difficulty in swallowing, difficulty in breathing, cough and hoarseness also occur. In some cases, thyroid cancer can be detected incidentally by imaging examinations performed during the manual examination of the doctor or for other reasons without any symptoms.

Family history is of great importance

There are different reasons for the emergence of thyroid cancers. Having a history of thyroid cancer in the family, radiation to the neck due to other diseases or reasons and various mutations at the cellular level can cause cancer development from thyroid nodules.

Early diagnosis is the most important life saver.

For the diagnosis of thyroid cancer, it is necessary to see an endocrinologist first. The presence of nodules detected in manual examinations is confirmed by ultrasonography, which is the most important examination method. If the thyroid nodule is detected in the ultrasonography and the nodule is suspected in terms of cancer, needle aspiration biopsy is performed. The sample obtained as a result of the needle aspiration biopsy, which is the gold standard method in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer all over the world, is evaluated by the cytologist. The definitive diagnosis is made as a result of the examination of the thyroid tissue obtained surgically by a physician specialized in pathology.

Surgical treatment is applied first

Surgery is the primary treatment for thyroid cancer. All or the affected half of the thyroid gland is removed by surgery. However, in cases of spread to the lymph nodes, these areas are surgically removed. In some types of thyroid cancer, iodine treatment, also called atomic treatment, may be needed. The decision to administer iodine therapy is made by the doctor following the patient according to the pathology result and the risk of recurrence of the disease.

Successful results with iodine treatment

Before starting iodine treatment, the patient should discontinue thyroid medications and apply a special diet. This treatment is applied in an environment that does not allow radiation due to the possibility of radiating around, and after the treatment, the patient is asked to take precautions for a while so that it does not affect those around him/her.

After the surgery, oral thyroid hormone treatment is applied to meet the lifelong thyroid hormone need of the patient and to prevent recurrence of the disease. Apart from these, other treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy are very rarely needed in the follow-up of thyroid cancer.

Healthy nutrition and movement are effective in cancer prevention

As in all cancers, healthy nutrition and a mobile lifestyle are among the indispensable conditions for cancer protection in thyroid cancer. However, necessary measures should be taken to protect the neck area from radiation exposure.

Prepared by the Medical Editorial Board. Our health library contents have been prepared for informational purposes only and with the scientific content on the registration date. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis or treatment about your health, please consult your doctor or health institution.