After cancer

I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THYROID CANCER IN 2003, AND THUS BEGAN MY JOURNEY INTO THE UNKNOWN WORLD OF THE AFTER CANCER LIFE.

WHERE IS THE THYROID GLAND?

The thyroid is a small gland that is located in the front of the neck, just below the larynx, and is wrapped around the trachea (windpipe).

The thyroid gland is shaped like a butterfly. It consists of two lobes, a right and a left lobe which are divided by the center, called the isthmus.

WHAT IS THYROID CANCER?

Thyroid cancer, like all cancers, is a change at the cellular level which causes the cells to grow in an uncontrolled manner.

The term for growths on the thyroid gland are usually referred to as nodules.

It is important to note that not all nodules are cancer, and in fact tend to be benign ( not cancer). Thyroid nodules are very prominent amongst us, and most people live a full life without ever knowing that they have nodules. Only 5 percent of nodules are cancerous in the adult population. When thyroid nodules are found in children, there is a much higher percentage that those nodules are cancerous.

Thyroid cancer is divided into four types, papillary, follicular, medullary and anaplastic.

Papillary carcinoma is the most common form of thyroid cancer. It is a slow growing cancer which reacts well to treatment.

Follicular carcinoma is less common than papillary, and although it is also a slow growing cancer, it does grow at a faster rate.

Medullary is a rare type of cancer. It grows much more rapidly than do the papillary and follicular carcinomas.

Anaplastic cancer is the worse of the four. It is a rare cancer that spreads very quickly with a very bad prognosis.

Symptoms

Thyroid cancer does not usually cause symptoms in it´s early stages. In it´s later stages, it usually presents itself as a lump on the thyroid area. difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, swollen lymph glands or pain in the throat or neck area that does not go away.

Diagnosis

Although there are several different tests to help diagnose thyroid cancer, there is only one way to accurately diagnose if indeed that nodule is cancerous, and that is by biopsy.
















Fine needle aspiration, or FNA is how a doctor takes a piece of tissue from the thyroid gland for definite diagnosis.

This test is usually done with the assistance of sonography (ultra sound). A small needle is inserted into the thyroid gland via the neck.

Radio active uptake test, ultrasound, blood tests all help in the diagnosis, but are not affirmative.

Treatment

Treatment of thyroid cancer begins with removal of either the entire gland or one lobe.

Depending on the type and size of the cancer, you may require radioactive iodine therapy or radiation.

In cases where the cancer is advanced and in-operable, radiation is the first treatment.

Prognosis


Prognosis for thyroid cancer, with the exception of anaplastic and later stages medullary cancer is very good with a 95% cure rate after treatment.
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