All you need to know about thyroid cancer

Verified by Dr. Anil D’Cruz, Director of Oncology, Apollo Cancer Centres & Head and Neck Cancer Specialist.

Thyroid enlargement is common in general population and up to 10-12% of Indians are said to have goitre. Usually, the majority of them are benign (non-cancerous), however 5-10% could be malignant (cancerous). The incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing globally, now in India as well. Although the exact cause for the rise in incidence is uncertain, it is largely attributed to availability of better diagnostics. Despite the significant rise in incidence, the heartening feature is that 90% of patients have an excellent prognosis and are cured of cancer.

GLOBOCAN 2020 DATA

Symptoms of thyroid cancer

• Thyroid cancer typically manifests as an asymptomatic lump or nodule in the thyroid.
• It can also manifest as a swelling in the side of the neck if lymph glands are involved.

Diagnosis of thyroid cancer

• Blood tests, in general, do not aid in the detection of thyroid cancer, and thyroid blood tests, such as TSH, tend to be normal even when a malignancy is present.
• Thyroid nodules/cancer can be detected by patients and relatives during a neck examination.
• Thyroid nodules can also be incidentally detected on imaging like CT scans and neck ultrasounds that are performed for entirely unrelated reasons. Ultrasound scan is the gold standard for diagnosis along with fine needle aspiration.

Causes of thyroid cancer

• For the vast majority of people, the reason is unknown. The other causes are familial (genetic), radiation exposure (especially in childhood), more common after the age of 40 and predominantly in the female population.
• Dental X-rays, chest X-rays, and mammograms could be associated with an increased risk of thyroid cancer. Therefore, one should minimize radiation exposure by only getting procedures that are absolutely indicated.

Recent advances in thyroid cancer management

• Molecular profiling

It

 allows for a more precise characterization of thyroid tumors and planning of                personalized treatment approaches.

• Better diagnostics

Ultrasound & FNAC are reliable diagnostic methods.

• Targeted therapies

Used in advanced and refractory thyroid cancer cases & forms new hope for patients with limited treatment options.

• Safer surgeries

Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for thyroid cancer and typically involves the removal of part or all of the thyroid gland. The extent of surgery depends on the type and stage of cancer. Common procedures include:

1. Total Thyroidectomy: Removal of the entire thyroid gland
2. Lobectomy/ Hemithyroidectomy: Removal of one lobe of the thyroid gland
3. Lymph Node Dissection: Removal of affected lymph nodes in the neck

Recent Advances in Thyroid Surgery

1. Minimally Invasive Surgery/Robotic Surgery/ Scar less thyroidectomy

Robots have been advocated in the recent time in the belief that the surgical scar is not visible in the neck, however the scar is present either transoral or in the axilla region. Its application has not gained widespread popularity due to its unaffordability and no substantial proven benefit, with only cosmetic benefit.

2. Nerve Monitoring

Intraoperative nerve monitoring systems aids surgeons to identify and preserve the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which controls the vocal cords’ function. This technology minimizes the risk of vocal cord paralysis during thyroid surgery.

3. Autofluorescence

It is an evolving technology to identify the parathyroid glands with the help of a near-infrared spectrum.

If you have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, connect with our expert, Dr. Anil D’Cruz, Director of Oncology, Apollo Cancer Centres & Head and Neck Cancer Specialist to find out about the best treatment options for you. Surgery is a safe and effective treatment for thyroid cancer, and it can help you achieve a cure.  

Call 022 6280 6280 for an appointment.