Papillary Thyroid Cancer

One of the most common form of thyroid cancer is papillary thyroid cancer, also known as papillary thyroid carcinoma. Statistics show that out of 10, 6 cases of thyroid cancer are of papillary. The first symptom of this cancer is a painless lump in the front area of the neck known as thyroid nodule. The emergence of thyroid nodule can lead to:

1. pain in the throat

2. difficulty in breathing and swallowing food

3. hoarseness in voice

Some of the common characteristics of papillary thyroid cancer

1. More common among females as compared to males. The ratio is almost 3:1 (female:male).

2. Usually found in the age group of 30-50 year old.

3. Almost 85% of thyroid cancer is the result of over-exposure to radiation.

4. More than 50% of cases the cancer spreads in the lymph nodes of the neck.

5. The overall cure rate is very high – especially in case of small lesions in young patient, the cure rate is 100%.

Treatment of papillary thyroid cancer

In cases wherein the tumors are small and do cause any harm to the surrounding tissues, it is usually recommended that the lobe of the thyroid wherein the tumor has developed be removed. There are other cases wherein the size of the tumor is huge and it would have even spread in surrounding areas. Such a situation requires an extensive surgery called total thyroidectomy.

There are also cases wherein papillary thyroid cancer is treated using iodine. Thyroid cells have a cellular mechanism through which they can easily absorb iodine. This iodine is used by thyroid cells to make the thyroid hormone. At the same time one must keep in mind that there are several types of radioactive iodine with some types being toxic to the cells. As papillary thyroid cancer cells can absorb iodine, toxic isotope I-131 is usually used to destroy it. In most cases this treatment is administered only on those patients who are suffering from large tumors or the tumors are aggressive microscopicaly and have spread to the lymph nodes/ other surrounding areas and in case the patient is an elderly person.

Once the patient is treated of the thyroid cancer, she/ he has to be on thyroid hormone replacement for the rest of their lives. This helps in replenishing the thyroid hormone in those who have almost no thyroid left and also suppresses the growth of the cancerous cells in future.

You can detailed information on papillary thyroid cancer from www.manipalinternationalpatientcare.com or by calling at +91 9900027157.

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