Thyroid cancer (or thyroid carcinoma) occurs when multiple cells of the thyroid gland degenerate. This means that these cells transform into cancer cells due to genetic changes and multiply in an uncontrolled manner. As the condition progresses, the cancer cells displace the healthy tissue. In addition, cancer cells are often unable to maintain their original function, such as the production of thyroid hormones.
In general, thyroid disorders are very common, whereas thyroid cancer is rare, with women three times more likely to develop thyroid cancer than men.
Many people complain of nodules in the thyroid gland. Fortunately, however, most cases are not thyroid cancer, but benign tissue growths. Although these nodules grow in an uncontrolled way and therefore require treatment, they do not penetrate the surrounding tissue – unlike thyroid cancer.
The thyroid gland contains various cell types, each of which have different functions. In the case of thyroid cancer, it is therefore necessary to differentiate which cell type the tumour originates from and how it develops in order to be able to assign the thyroid cancer to one of the four types.
Papillary, follicular and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma originate from the hormone-producing thyroid cells known as thyrocytes. In contrast, medullary thyroid carcinoma arises from a cell type located in the thyroid gland (so-called C cells).
In its early stages, the symptoms of thyroid cancer are hardly noticeable. In fact, it often goes unnoticed until the tumour begins to press on the trachea and oesophagus, for example, or damages adjacent nerve tracts.
Possible symptoms of thyroid cancer include:
Causes of thyroid cancer include:
If thyroid cancer is suspected, the doctor will start by asking the patient questions about their medical history, followed by a physical examination. First the doctor will thoroughly palpate the thyroid, the neck area and the lymph nodes to detect any abnormal changes. This is normally followed by a blood test to measure the concentration of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 as well as the hormone TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone).
In the course of further diagnostics, the doctor may also refer the patient for
The type of treatment for thyroid cancer depends on the type of thyroid cancer and the extent to which the cancer has already progressed.
In principle, the range of treatments available include:
After treatment is completed, patients who have had thyroid cancer are advised to undergo life-long follow-up care in order to detect any possible return of the cancer as early as possible. This mainly involves regular ultrasounds of the neck area.
In addition, it is important to carry out regular measurements of various laboratory values that are only produced by thyroid tissue. If these can be detected again in the body after complete removal of the thyroid gland, this is indicative of renewed tumour growth (these laboratory values are called tumour markers).
Generally speaking, thyroid cancer can occur at any age. It is much more common in women than in men. The average age of those diagnosed with the disease is 55 years for men and 52 years for women.
A new, rapidly growing nodule in the thyroid gland may be the first sign of thyroid cancer. In addition, medical clarification is required if the thyroid gland becomes enlarged and forms a struma (goitre), or if the thyroid suddenly grows and feels harder, either in whole or in part. The same applies if a new goitre emerges within a few weeks or months. For this reason, it is generally recommended that any unusual swelling of the throat be examined by a doctor.
