In thyroid cancer, malignant tumors or cells found in different tissues located in the thyroid gland. It is in the thyroid gland, that different hormones are required for different body functions produced. When the gland is affected by cancer, the changes can be seen in the way the function of the gland. It is shown that thyroid cancer is more common in women than men. If a person has been exposed to radiation for medical reasons or otherwise, they are more susceptible to this cancer. Cancer staging tests performed on the patient to determine the spread of the disease.
There are various types of cancer, which are classified depending on their histopathological characteristics. Type is papillary thyroid cancer, follicular thyroid cancer, medullary thyroid cancer, anaplastic thyroid cancer, lymphoma and sarcoma. Staging of thyroid cancer in all types of cancer as mentioned below.
In patients younger than 45 years, malignant tumors can be of various sizes. However, if the patient is older than 45 years, tumors less than 2 cm. In this stage the cancer is confined to the thyroid gland. It can affect one of the thyroid gland. Under most conditions, the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes. Similarly, it also does not spread to other sites distant.
Depending on the stage of thyroid cancer, the line of treatment is determined. Surgery is one option that is used, when the spread of the disease is not widespread. Typically, there are three types of surgery performed. If only one side of the thyroid gland is affected, then only the affected area is removed. Along with the affected area, the lymph nodes around the gland may also be removed, which when examined assist in understanding if the lymph nodes are affected as well. Another type of surgery that is done is when the main part of the thyroid gland is removed and only a small portion of the gland remains.
If the disease has spread to all nodes, all nodes may also be removed to treat the condition. Thyroid surgery recovery depends on the patient's condition and the immune system, along with the type of surgery performed. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are other options that are used to treat thyroid cancer. In some cases, hormone therapy can also be used, as it helps in preventing the growth of cancer cells.