THYROID CANCER GUIDE: CAN IT BE AVOIDED AND HOW TO DIAGNOSE?

Thyroid cancer is one of the most common types of malignant tumors of the endocrine system. Who is at risk? What symptoms should be alert and are there ways to detect the disease without any signs? Tells MD Ekaterina Borodavina, radiologist of the department of radiosurgical treatment with open radionuclides in A. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Centre (MRRC) – the branch of the FSBI “National Medical Research Radiological Centre” (NMRRC) of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.

There are a number of thyroid diseases that can be suspected in the presence of certain complaints. Heart palpitations, sweating, emotional lability, hyperexcitability, “inner trembling”, sleep and attention disorders and a sharp decrease in body weight all this may indicate an excess of thyroid hormones thyrotoxicosis.

In turn, increased body weight, weakness, swelling, tendency to constipation, apathy and indifference can speak of hypothyroidism consequence of thyroid hormone deficiency. These complaints should alert the patient and lead him to a consultation with an endocrinologist.

What are the signs of a malignant neoplasm of the thyroid gland?

As a rule, thyroid cancer does not have specific complaints and manifestations. The volume of the thyroid gland is not enlarged, hormones in the pre-test are normal. In the early stages of the disease, thyroid cancer is often an incidental finding, for example, during ultrasonic examination of the neck vessels. At later stages, the patient may complain of an eye-visible increase in cervical lymph nodes or the appearance of a voluminous mass in the area of the thyroid gland, voice changes, choking. In advanced cases, the patient may first be diagnosed with distant metastases and, upon further examination, thyroid cancer.

Who should be examined for thyroid disease?

You should pay close attention to yourself:

• Those patients whose relatives have a history of thyroid cancer;
• Those who have undergone radiation therapy to the head and neck region;
• Patients who have swallowing disorders, hoarseness, nasality or hoarseness not related to colds or seasonal illnesses;
• Those who have been accidentally detected nodular masses in the thyroid gland.

What scope of examination should be performed?

First of all, ultrasound of the thyroid gland, on which specialists see nodular formations, their increase or decrease in size, as well as the slightest changes in the lymph nodes of the neck. According to the size and structure of the nodules in the thyroid gland, the doctor determines the indications for a puncture biopsy.

The patient also needs to determine the level of thyroid hormone (TTH), and in the presence of nodular formations in the thyroid gland, the level of calcitonin.

It is important to remember that nodular formations in the thyroid gland have from 20% to 40% of the inhabitants of the Earth. Only a fraction of the formations affect its function, prognosis and further treatment of the patient. Most nodular formations require only dynamic monitoring.