Thyroid cancer: papillary, medullary - symptoms, diagnosis, how to treat. How do you know that metastases have appeared? N - state of lymph nodes

Cancer thyroid gland - a malignant nodular formation that can form from the epithelium that naturally functions in the gland.

Thyroid cancer accounts for more than a quarter of all head and neck malignancies. Over the past decades, according to WHO, the incidence of thyroid cancer in the world has doubled. Thyroid cancer annually causes the death of 1% of all patients dying from malignant tumors. Among all malignant neoplasms, this disease accounts for 0.5 - 3.5%. That is, per 100,000 population, an average of 0.5-0.6 men and 1.2-1.6 women develop thyroid cancer.

In Russia, the highest incidence rates are observed in the Bryansk region: 4.9 per 100,000 men and 26.3 per 100,000 women. Also, the most disadvantaged areas in terms of thyroid cancer incidence are the Arkhangelsk, Saratov, Sverdlovsk and Magadan regions.

Risk factors for developing thyroid cancer

Main risk factors:

1. Iodine deficiency
2. Ionizing radiation (Radiation)
3. Heredity (Family History)

Risk factors also include the presence of nodules in the thyroid gland in patients, i.e. nodular goiters, their recurrent forms, nodular forms of chronic thyroiditis.

Iodine deficiency

Regions of the world with low iodine content in water and food products, are endemic for nodular goiter, against which thyroid cancer often develops. IN Russian Federation Altai Territory and the Republic of Adygea are considered endemic areas.

Ionizing radiation

Since the discovery of this physical phenomenon and until now, the role of this factor as a cause of the development of thyroid cancer has increased sharply. The effect of this factor is primarily associated with the ingestion of radioactive isotopes of iodine (131 I, 125 I). Thus, it was found that residents of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, who were exposed to radiation after the explosion of atomic bombs, suffered from thyroid cancer 10 times more often than other Japanese.

In Russia, there was a sharp increase in the incidence of thyroid cancer, especially in children, in regions that were exposed to radioactive contamination after the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, these are the Bryansk, Tula, and Ryazan regions.

Heredity

The risk of developing thyroid cancer is higher in families where there have been cases of this disease. The hereditary form of cancer is associated with hereditary syndromes of multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN).

Types of Thyroid Cancer

Four types of thyroid cancer are classified according to histological forms: papillary, follicular, medullary and anaplastic.

Papillary cancer - the most favorable type. It occurs in children and adults, most often falling ill at 30-40 years of age. It is the predominant form of thyroid cancer in children. The tumor most often occurs in one of the lobes, and only 10-15% of patients have bilateral involvement.

Papillary carcinoma is characterized by rather slow growth. Metastasizes to the lymph nodes of the neck; distant metastases to other organs are rare.

Follicular cancer occurs in adults with a peak incidence at 50-55 years of age. This type of tumor is characterized by slow growth. IN late stages forms metastases in lymph nodes neck, as well as in the bones, liver and lungs. Metastases of follicular cancer retain the ability to take up iodine and synthesize thyroglobulin.

Medullary cancer It can be either an independent disease or a component of MEN syndrome. More often detected in the elderly age group patients with nodular goiter. It is characterized by rapid growth with invasion of nearby organs and early metastasis.

Anaplastic cancer occurs more often in elderly patients with nodular goiter. It is distinguished by its aggressive form and early metastasis. Fast growth tumor node can lead to its necrotic decay, ulceration and can serve as a source of bleeding.

Histogenetic classification of thyroid cancer

Symptoms

The disease may manifest itself various symptoms. They depend on the stage, prevalence tumor process and developed complications. Small thyroid tumors are usually not accompanied by clinical symptoms and are detected by chance during ultrasound examination. The first reason for visiting a doctor may be an enlargement of one cervical lymph node, which upon further examination turns out to be a metastasis of thyroid cancer.

Symptoms of thyroid cancer are often similar to the symptoms of colds, sore throats, and infectious diseases:

• Swelling in the neck. Small nodules in the neck can only be identified by a doctor, but sometimes swelling can be noticed during swallowing.
• Increase cervical lymph nodes. However, this symptom often accompanies a cold or sore throat and is not associated with a malignant process.
• Changing the timbre of your voice. Sometimes a large thyroid nodule puts pressure on the larynx, which can cause hoarseness.
• Dyspnea. The reason may be that the enlarged thyroid gland causes a narrowing of the tracheal lumen.
• Difficulty swallowing. Also, a thyroid nodule can put pressure on the esophagus.
• Pain in the neck or throat. The development of thyroid cancer rarely causes pain, but when combined with other symptoms, it is a signal to see a doctor immediately.

Most of similar symptoms associated with the appearance of a thyroid nodule, which in more than 95% of cases turns out to be benign. Thyroid nodules are quite common, and the risk of their occurrence increases in old age. If nodules are found in the thyroid gland, you should consult a doctor.

Diagnostics

Ultrasound diagnostics allows you to detect tumor formations from 2-3 mm, determine the exact topographic location in the gland, visualize capsule invasion, assess the size and condition of the lymph nodes of the neck.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows you to obtain a detailed topographic-anatomical picture of the tumor and its relationship with the organs and structures of the neck. This is necessary when planning surgical treatment in case of tumor invasion into neighboring structures.

CT scan used to determine metastatic lesions of the lungs and bones.

Scintigraphy thyroid gland with 125 I, 131 I is used mainly to identify residual thyroid tissue after surgical treatment, as well as to diagnose relapses. It allows you to assess the ability of metastases to take up iodine when planning radioiodine therapy.

Osteoscintirgaphy allows you to assess the presence/absence of metastatic lesions of the skeletal bones.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy Performed primarily under ultrasound control, it allows for targeted acquisition of material for cytological examination, which allows, in most cases, to verify the diagnosis. FNA of suspicious lymph nodes makes it possible to establish the metastatic nature of the lesion.

Positron emission tomography (PET) identifies areas of increased metabolic activity and is performed to diagnose thyroid cancer metastases that do not accumulate iodine and are not detected by scintigraphy.

Laboratory research

Calcitonin: A thyroid hormone produced by C cells. (Norm: 0-11.5 pg/ml). A significant increase in hormone levels is observed in medullary cancer, the level of increase is associated with the stage of the disease and the size of the tumor.

Thyroglobulin: determining the level in differentiated thyroid cancer allows you to monitor the occurrence of tumor relapse. After thyroidectomy, thyroglobulin levels should approach zero.

Staging of thyroid cancer

Treatment

The main method of treatment for patients with thyroid cancer is surgical treatment in combination with courses of radioiodine therapy, targeted therapy and suppressive hormone therapy, as well as remote gamma therapy according to indications.

Surgery

Volume surgical intervention depends primarily on the stage of the disease, on how far the malignant process has spread. In addition, treatment is determined by the morphological type of the tumor and the age of the patient.

In patients with papillary and follicular cancer at small stages, hemithyroidectomy can be performed - removal of one lobe with leaving or resection of the isthmus of the gland. If the tumor has spread (T1-3N0M0), total removal of the thyroid gland is performed. In later stages malignant process Extrafiscial total thyroidectomy with removal of lymph nodes is performed.

If medullary, undifferentiated and papillary cancer is diagnosed, total removal of the gland - thyroidectomy - is indicated in all cases.

If the lymph nodes of the neck are affected by metastases, cervical lymphadenectomy is performed, in some cases - extended cervical lymphadenectomy with resection neighboring organs and structures, depending on the prevalence of the process.

Radioiodine therapy After surgical treatment, patients with prostate cancer are prescribed radioiodine therapy to destroy possible micrometastases and remnants of thyroid tissue (131 I is used).

External beam radiotherapy: The standard of treatment is neoadjuvant (preoperative) therapy for patients with undifferentiated and squamous cell carcinoma.

Suppressive hormone therapy(SGT) prescribed to patients with papillary and follicular thyroid cancer as a component complex treatment after surgery to suppress the secretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

Chemotherapy indicated for medullary and undifferentiated thyroid cancer.

Targeted therapy used for the treatment of medullary and radioiodine-resistant forms of differentiated thyroid cancer.

Observation and forecast

Observation period

• 1st year after treatment – ​​once every 3 months
• 2nd – 3rd year after treatment – ​​once every 4 months
• 4th – 5th year after treatment – ​​once every 6 months
• 6th and subsequent years after treatment – ​​once a year

Thyroid cancer is much more common in women than in men. At the same time, the disease itself is considered quite rare, accounting for only one percent of all occurring malignant tumors, and the mortality rate is 0.5 percent.

In women, this disease occurs approximately three times more often, and the peak spread of the disease occurs in regions with high level radiation contamination (including as a result of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant).

Thyroid cancer is a malignant tumor that develops directly from the cells of the organ. Older women are most susceptible to the disease from 45 to 60 years, however, there are frequent cases of the disease manifesting itself in girls adolescence.

If the patient belongs to this age category, the development of the disease occurs most quickly.

In general, this cancer It has non-aggressive nature And long time development that takes place over several years. Wherein no active metastasis, which is observed only in extreme stages.

Timely detection of a tumor and high-quality treatment can effectively cope with the disease and return the patient to normal life.

Causes

Modern science cannot accurately determine the factors influencing the development of most cancers, including thyroid cancer. is no exception. However, during the course of observations, a number of factors were identified in which the risk of tumor development increases significantly. These include:

Radioactive exposure. Soviet doctors who analyzed the health status of citizens affected by the Chernobyl accident noted a 15-fold increase in the incidence of this disease.

Today, the risk group includes women living in places exposed to radioactive contamination, as well as near test sites where nuclear weapons were previously tested.

1. Treatment procedures using radiation therapy in the area of ​​the patient's neck and head. X-ray exposure, according to research, also increases the risk of tumor development.
2. A woman passes the age limit at 40 years old. It is at this stage that a number of changes occur in a woman’s body that can cause the appearance of a tumor.

Genetic predisposition. This factor observed for most cancer diseases. IN in this case Experts have discovered a certain gene “responsible” for the transmission of thyroid cancer, and if it is present, the probability of a tumor occurring is close to 100 percent.

The solution to the problem may be prophylactic removal of the thyroid gland, which is also practiced in modern medicine.

3. Work in “harmful” industries. The risk group includes medical workers who deal with X-ray machines, personnel at nuclear power plants and defense industries.
4. Stress. When female cancer thyroid gland, it was revealed that the degree of risk of tumor development is influenced by a woman’s inner spiritual comfort. Availability severe stress has a detrimental effect on immune system and often becomes a catalyst for the development of malignancy.
5. Excessive smoking or alcohol consumption. The female body is much more susceptible to the effects of carcinogens and toxic substances, and therefore smoking and alcohol often become one of the causes of the development of thyroid cancer.
6. Availability chronic diseases female body , including diseases of the uterus or ovaries, tumors in the mammary glands, multinodular goiter, cancer or the presence of polyps in the intestines, the presence of benign formations in the thyroid gland, etc.

Manifestation

Diagnosing thyroid cancer is relatively simple for a specialist. This is due to the location of the gland on the front of the neck women directly under the thyroid cartilage. This arrangement allows the specialist to tactilely feel the presence of a tumor.

The following symptoms may be the reason for contacting an oncologist:

The appearance of a small nodule on the thyroid gland. It is felt when the area of ​​the gland is felt through the skin and feels like an elevation on one side. In the primary stages of tumor development, pressing on it is painless, and the node itself is elastic. In this case, the formation seems to “roll” under your fingers.

As the disease progresses, the density of the nodular formation increases, as does its size. It is worth noting that separately this symptom can characterize benign formations, and the degree to which such a formation is a symptom of cancer is small.

However, it is worth remembering that the presence of such a tumor in a girl is early age It is very dangerous and requires prompt consultation with a specialist.

1. Enlarged cervical lymph nodes. The development of a malignant tumor is almost always reflected in the lymph nodes, which increase in size. There are often cases when it is the large lymph node in the neck that becomes the only initial sign diseases.
2. Appearance painful sensations in the neck and ear area, difficulty swallowing, feeling of a lump in the throat. These signs are characteristic of thyroid cancer with further development diseases.
3. Swelling of the neck veins, the appearance of a dry cough and shortness of breath. These signs inform about possible metastasis of the tumor to neighboring, healthy organs.

Kinds

The role of the thyroid gland in a woman’s body is very important. It is responsible for the production of hormones and general processes metabolism in the body.

Due to the flexible functionality of this body, it is also possible different kinds his defeat.

Conditionally allocate the following types thyroid cancer:

Papillary

This type of cancer is named so due to the special texture of the tumor. On its surface there is big number nipple-like protrusions. The main difficulty with papillary cancer is difference between cancer cells and healthy ones, because they have high degree similarities.

The papillary form of the disease occurs in 80 percent of all cases of this disease. Tumor growth is slow, and metastasis is practically absent. Treatment of the tumor gives good results.

An interesting feature is that in some women papillary tumors are present and small in size. They do not manifest themselves during life and do not require treatment. The risk is only large formations.

It is worth saying that in women this form of cancer occurs three times more often than in the male population, and the main age at which the risk of a tumor increases is from 30 to 50 years.

Moreover, in case timely diagnosis and treatment, life expectancy in most cases exceeds the 25 year mark, and during the operation, doctors confidently give favorable prognoses without the risk of relapse.

Follicular

Follicular cancer is characterized by a tumor in which vesicles - follicles - dominate. This type of disease occurs in 10-15 percent of cases and manifests itself more often in older women.

The tumor belongs to the category of minimally invasive, that is, it does not metastasize and, most often, does not germinate into surrounding tissues or blood vessels. However, this form of cancer is more aggressive and can spread, in some cases, not only to nearby but also to distant organs, which significantly complicates treatment.

However, modern medicine has technology for treating such metastases using radioactive iodine, and this technique helps in most cases.

The prognosis for the disease in most cases is favorable, especially for patients under 50 years of age.

Medullary

This form of cancer is relatively rare and occurs in only 5-7 percent of cases. It is formed from paraphyllicular cells responsible for the production the hormone calcitonin. Medullary cancer is much more dangerous than the two previous forms.

A malignant tumor can grow into the trachea and muscle tissue. As a rule, in women this form of the disease is hereditary character, however, sporadic occurrence of the disease is also possible.

This form of tumor often leads to dysfunction glands internal secretion. The cells are very viable and do not absorb iodine, which leads to difficulties during therapy. During the treatment of medullary cancer removed as the thyroid gland itself, and cervical lymph nodes.

Moreover, if the disease is observed in women over 50 years of age, the likelihood of a favorable prognosis is extremely low.

Anaplastic form

Anaplastic cancer is the rarest form, occurring in only three percent of cases. His distinctive feature is the development in the gland atypical cells , which do not perform their function, but at the same time actively share and develop.

This form occurs predominantly in women over 65 years old. Anaplastic cancer is characterized by active metastasis and has the most unfavorable prognosis, practically resistant to treatment.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of thyroid cancer is very simple and includes several techniques:

1. Use of ultrasound techniques (ultrasound). The procedure allows you to determine the size and possible enlargement of the gland and identify tumor nodes. The latter reflect the directed ultrasound wave extremely poorly and are therefore detected by the device quite reliably.
2. Biopsy (so-called FNA). It is carried out by inserting a thin needle into the tumor, with the help of which cellular material is taken for research. If there is any doubt about the results, an open biopsy may be performed.
3. Blood analysis for the content of tumor markers, as well as calcitonin, thyroglobulin and the BRAF gene.
4. Carrying out EGFR analysis, determining epidermal growth factor. Performed after the tumor has been removed.

Stages of the disease

Like any cancer, thyroid cancer is divided into several stages:

Stage I. The size of the tumor is less than 2 centimeters, it is located on one side of the gland. The tumor does not metastasize.

Stage II. The tumor is single, large in size and has a deforming effect on the gland. Also at this stage, the presence of many small tumors is possible, and sometimes small metastases occur in adjacent organs.

Stage III. An oncological tumor grows directly into the capsule of the gland and compresses the trachea. Metastases develop in the cervical lymph nodes.

Stage IV. There is deep tumor invasion into adjacent tissues and vessels, and there are metastases in both adjacent and distant organs.

Treatment methods

Today, treatment for this form of cancer combines surgery and medicinal methods. An operation to remove part of a gland or an entire organ today - the only one effective method prevent the development of the disease.

Radioactive iodine is used to suppress metastases. If the tumor grows into the lymph nodes, they are also removed. The medical stage includes rehabilitation therapy, as well as irradiation using the iodine-131 isotope to completely suppress malignant cells.

Hormonal therapy is also used in the postoperative period.

In this article you will learn:

Thyroid oncology refers to a malignant formation in the form of nodes that develops from the epithelial cells of the organ.

There are several types of tumor:

• Follicular form.
• Anaplastic cancer.
• Lymphoma.
• Metastatic lesions.

Thyroid cancer is not considered one of the most common forms; on average, this type of cancer accounts for about 1% of all types of various organs. Most often it affects women, as well as people over 40 years of age. Moreover, with each decade the risk of its development increases by several percent.

Reasons for the formation of oncology

Like most other diseases, thyroid cancer has various reasons. People with goiter are at increased risk. According to research, it is the cause of 80% of all oncology of this organ. In addition, women and men with:

The occurrence of scale cancer is caused by many various factors, one of which is genetic predisposition, as well as changes in hormonal levels.

A separate line should also be noted regarding the possibility of exposure to X-ray or radioactive radiation on the entire body or the head and neck area, especially in childhood and adolescence. Besides, Negative influence working conditions associated with heavy metals and fumes increase the risk of thyroid cancer. However, the greatest risk is a combination of these factors.

Types of thyroid cancer

8 signs of the disease

Most important symptom thyroid cancer – visual. A small nodule appears in the thyroid area, which is clearly visible and easily palpable. The neoplasm may be stable or slightly mobile. At the very first stages, this knot does not cause pain and is elastic to the touch. Subsequently, the formation grows and becomes denser.

In combination with other signs, a growing lump under the skin in the area of ​​the thyroid gland in women may indicate its malignant nature. Among them:

1. Painful sensations in the neck or even radiating to the ear.
2. Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.
3. The appearance of a “lump” in the throat that cannot be swallowed.
4. Shrunken or hoarse voice.
5. Trouble swallowing.
6. A persistent cough of unknown origin, i.e. not associated with colds or allergic conditions.
7. Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath without exercise.
8. Swollen neck veins.

One of the main symptoms of thyroid cancer is the formation of a small node in the neck.

If you find a lump in yourself, don’t panic! It is cancer in only 5% of cases, but you should consult a doctor immediately to refute this possibility. The exception is people under 20 years of age, since before this age no compaction in the organ should appear. The appearance of a “bump” in a child’s thyroid area is a reason for an emergency visit to the doctor.

Every woman who notices such signs and symptoms of thyroid cancer should be examined by specialists.

Risk of developing a thyroid tumor

Examination and diagnosis of malignant diseases

The thyroid gland can be examined using a number of techniques. Some of them are quite effective for detecting cancer, while others are completely uninformative. Let's look at them:

Despite the fact that malignant neoplasms of the thyroid gland do not occupy a leading position among all oncological pathologies, the last few years have seen an increase in their prevalence. Is it possible to detect a tumor on early stage?

What signs of thyroid cancer attract attention first of all: detailed list in our review and video in this article.

The exact causes of thyroid cancer formation are not well understood. Meanwhile, medicine knows the factors that can provoke the development of the disease.

These include:

• radioactive exposure;
• radiation therapy for malignant neoplasms of the head and neck;
• hereditary predisposition – thyroid cancer in blood relatives;
• occupational hazards: working with ionizing radiation, heavy metals, in hot shops, etc.;
• severe stress;
• bad habits: along with tobacco smoke carcinogens enter the body, and overuse alcohol weakens the immune defense against the growth and reproduction of cancer cells;
• age over 40 years.

Note! The connection between thyroid cancer and radiation exposure was confirmed after the infamous accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. In residents of the affected regions, the disease was diagnosed 15 times more often than in the rest of the population.

Often, oncopathology develops against the background of existing chronic diseases:

• dysregulation of sex hormones, diseases of the uterus and ovaries;
• benign and malignant formations of the mammary glands in women;
• cancer, colon polyps;
• neoplasia, precancerous diseases of endocrine organs;
• benign thyroid nodules.

If you notice one or more factors for the development of the disease, be especially attentive to your health. You should have your thyroid checked every three to five years, even if you're not worried about anything.

Modern methods of diagnosing cancer

Sometimes it is difficult to suspect already formed thyroid cancer: signs of pathology do not attract attention for a long time, and precious time, the price of which is the health and life of the patient, may be lost. The instructions below will help you determine the main diagnostic criteria diseases.

Patient complaints: what you should pay attention to

“What are you complaining about?” - this is the first question that a patient hears when crossing the threshold of a doctor’s office.

Complaints malignant tumor The thyroid gland can be:

• increase in neck diameter: the collar of an old shirt seems too tight, the patient is uncomfortable wearing turtlenecks and scarves;
• persistent feeling of a lump, discomfort in the throat;
• one or more dense nodules on the neck that a person can feel on their own;
• change in voice, hoarseness;
• soreness, swelling in the neck;
• difficulty swallowing solid food.

The above symptoms can also occur with benign nodes on the neck, but sometimes accompany thyroid cancer: signs of pathology also depend on its morphological variant:

1. develops more often in young people. It is characterized by slow growth and a favorable prognosis. This tumor rarely metastasizes or recurs after treatment.
2. more typical for older patients. Despite its slow growth, the tumor is prone to grow into adjacent tissues (trachea, esophagus) and hematogenous metastasis - most often to the liver, lungs and bone tissue. Therefore, often in clinical picture diseases, symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, increased body temperature, pain in the extremities, right hypochondrium, etc. come to the fore.
3. – special shape a disease in which a tumor is formed from parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland that produce the hormone calcitonin. In pathology, severe hypocalcemia and “hot flashes” are observed, which are accompanied by loose stools, redness of the skin.

Upon reaching the tumor large sizes, it begins to “pull” all the energy from the body, and the patient is faced with manifestations of asthenic syndrome:

• weakness;
• drowsiness;
• decreased performance;
• chronic fatigue;
• loss of appetite;
• aversion to meat;
• chronic anemia;
• depression.

Any of the signs listed above is a reason to immediately consult a doctor. After complex diagnostics body, the doctor will be able to make a correct diagnosis and draw up individual plan treatment.

Medical examination

Medical examination includes:

• general assessment of the patient's condition;
• measuring body temperature;
• blood pressure measurement;
• auscultation of the heart and lungs;
• palpation of the thyroid gland for the presence of nodes or diffuse enlargement of the organ.

If a large nodule is detected in the thyroid gland, the patient will be prescribed a complex diagnostic procedures, which will help exclude or confirm the diagnosis of cancer.

Important! Nodules in the thyroid gland are not a rare problem. Don’t be alarmed ahead of time if you feel a lump in your neck. Up to 95% of nodules are harmless and only require regular medical supervision. But you still need to check so as not to miss malignant disease endocrine organ.

Laboratory tests

Laboratory tests are not particularly specific for thyroid cancer.

IN general analysis blood is usually observed:

• signs of anemia - decreased concentration of hemoglobin and red blood cells;
• moderate leukocytosis;
• a sharp increase in ESR.

When studying thyroid hormones, the picture also remains unclear: patients can experience both normal endocrine status and hypo- and hyperthyroidism.

Instrumental methods

More informative in diagnosing thyroid cancer instrumental methods examinations:

• Ultrasound: Signs of thyroid cancer are most easily detected by ultrasound examination. This minimally invasive and informative diagnostic test will allow you to visualize the size, contours and location of the thyroid gland, as well as determine the presence of nodes - pathological formations. Characteristic signs thyroid cancer on ultrasound:
  1. uneven contours of the node;
  2. a significant decrease in the echogenicity (density) of the formation;
  3. presence of microcalcifications.
• CT or tomography– an x-ray examination method that allows you to make a layer-by-layer image of the thyroid gland and determine the size, contours and internal structure of tumor nodes.
• MRI– method visual diagnostics, based on magnetic field energy.

Note! Despite the high information content of instrumental tests, it is impossible to make a diagnosis of thyroid cancer only after an ultrasound, CT or MRI. All patients with suspected cancer pathology undergo a puncture biopsy followed by a morphological (histological) examination.

Needle biopsy is the main way to detect thyroid cancer

A puncture biopsy is a percutaneous sampling of cells from a tumor node for the purpose of further morphological examination. Manipulation is carried out using local anesthetics under ultrasound control.

After appropriate processing, the resulting biological material is subjected to microscopy, and only if a cytologist detects tumor cells with deformed, damaged nuclei in it, can it be confirmed that the patient has cancer.

In the review below, we tried to figure out how to identify thyroid cancer at an early stage. You can’t handle cancer pathology with your own hands, so if you have the slightest suspicion, be sure to consult a doctor for a comprehensive examination.

The earlier the disease is detected, the higher the patient's chances of recovery. Thyroid cancer has a relatively favorable course and responds well to treatment.

The thyroid gland is an internal secretion organ, which consists of two lobes located on either side of the trachea. These two parts are connected by an isthmus. The thyroid gland secretes hormones that regulate metabolic processes. Thyroid cancer, whose symptoms in women include swelling, pain and difficulty swallowing, occurs in one case per 1,000 people. According to statistics, thyroid cancer in most cases affects women.

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Classification of thyroid cancer

Papillary carcinoma

It is considered the most common thyroid cancer. It accounts for 70-80% of all diagnosed neoplasms in this area. affects the hormone-producing cells of the organ and grows extremely slowly.

Follicular carcinoma

This type of cancer also forms from cells that are responsible for producing hormones. Characteristic feature follicular carcinoma is rapid and aggressive growth. This oncology in the structure of cancerous lesions of the thyroid gland is about 10%.

Modular carcinoma

This tumor tends to run genetically in families. This malignant neoplasm is considered a fairly rare disease and accounts for 5-10% of thyroid cancer.

Anaplastic carcinoma

This is the most aggressive and male. It usually grows rapidly and spreads to the trachea. As a result of this growth, patency is blocked airways. The tumor accounts for 7% of all cases of malignant lesions of the thyroid gland.

Lymphoma

The formation of this pathology is associated with the penetration of white blood cells into the thyroid gland and their subsequent cancerous degeneration. diagnosed in 4% of clinical cases.

Causes and risk factors for thyroid cancer in women

Research into the causes of thyroid cancer in women continues until today. Scientists point to the following risk factors:

1. Ionizing radiation:

High doses of sunlight can promote malignant transformation of thyroid cells. Also, a person’s presence in an area of ​​man-made disasters with the release of radioactive substances increases the chances of contracting this disease.

2. Chronic goiter:

An enlarged thyroid gland over a long period of time can provoke the development of cancer.

3. Genetic predisposition:

Some types of malignant neoplasms tend to be inherited along the family line.

Exact symptoms in women

Symptoms of thyroid cancer in women include the following:

• progressive swelling of the throat and enlargement of the gland itself;
• change in voice timbre and hoarseness;
• chronic attacks of dry cough;
• work disorders gastrointestinal tract in the form of constipation and diarrhea;
• slowly increasing pain syndrome.

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Methods for diagnosing thyroid cancer in women

Examination of a cancer patient occurs according to the following scheme:

1. Finding out the patient’s complaints and family history.
2. Physical examination, which consists of visual examination of the nasopharynx and palpation of the thyroid gland area.
3. A general and detailed blood test, which also includes a test for.
4. Ultrasound examination, allowing to detect the presence malignant neoplasm and its dimensions.
5. Instrumental examination and assessment of the condition of the vocal cords.
6. Biopsy. This technique makes it possible to establish a final diagnosis based on the results of histological and cytological tests a small area of ​​pathological tissue.

Treatment options for thyroid cancer in women

The choice of treatment for thyroid malignancy depends on the type of tumor, the stage of the cancer process and the extent of the pathology.

• Surgery:

Surgery, in most cases, is indicated for papillary or follicular carcinoma. The essence of the operation is complete or partial removal of the thyroid gland, which depends on the degree of spread pathological process. If they are located in the regional lymph nodes, then they are also destroyed.

• Radiation therapy:

During this therapy, the destruction of malignant tissue is carried out using radioactive iodine preparations. This treatment typically requires the patient to stop taking thyrotoxin, which stimulates the production of thyroid-stimulating hormone, which promotes the absorption of radioiodine.

In cases of ineffectiveness of such treatment, the cancer patient is prescribed a course of external irradiation with highly active x-rays.

• Hormonal therapy:

All operated patients with cancerous lesion thyroid gland require corrective hormone therapy in the form of thyroxine. Dose this drug, as a rule, is prescribed in increased quantity, which causes systemic suppression of thyroid-stimulating hormone synthesis. The need for such therapy is dictated by the ability of thyrotropin to stimulate the formation of thyroid cells.

• Chemotherapy:

This treatment includes the use of cytostatic agents that destroy cancer cells at the system level. Thyroid cancer, symptoms in women which indicate the presence of metastases, in mandatory undergoing chemotherapy. The dosage and duration of treatment is determined individually depending on general condition body of a cancer patient. Cytostatic drugs are usually prescribed at intervals of three to six months.