Malignant tumors of the thyroid gland are formed from the cells of this organ. Pathology is considered quite rare. It accounts for 1% of all cancer tumors and less than 0.5% of deaths.
The greatest redistribution of the incidence is observed at about 45-60 years, however, a cancer tumor can develop at any age, including in children and adolescents. At an early age, the tumor manifests itself more aggressively than in adult patients. Women become victims of this pathology 2-3 times more often than men.
The disease is more common in regions that have been exposed to radiation, as well as where there is an insufficient amount of natural iodine.
Malignant tumors of the thyroid gland are non-aggressive neoplasms. They may not increase in size over the years and prevent metastases. However, this is not a reason to ignore the disease. Modern diagnostic techniques allow you to identify pathology in the early stages and begin treatment on time.
Causes
Factors that provoke the development of malignant tumors of the thyroid gland are not fully established. Nevertheless, doctors call many reasons that can significantly increase the likelihood of developing the disease. These include:
- Radiation exposure. Scientific tests have proven that after such an investment, the number of cases of the disease increases by 15 times. Radioactive rain also poses some danger.
- Radiation therapy in the neck and head. Prolonged x-ray irradiation can cause a tumor to develop even after several years. The cells of the human body become prone to mutations, division and active growth. Such processes ensure the development of follicular and papillary types of tumors.
- Genetic predisposition. Scientists have established a special gene that can be inherited. He is responsible for the development of thyroid cancer. If a person has it, then the risk of a tumor is almost 100%. When such a gene is detected, doctors may suggest prophylactic removal of the thyroid gland.
- Age over 40 years. Despite the fact that malignant tumors can occur in children, the risk increases significantly with age. During aging, disruptions in the gland cells at the gene level occur more frequently.
- Occupational hazards. The most dangerous activity is considered to be with ionizing radiation, in hot shops or work with heavy metals.
- Bad habits, such as alcoholism and smoking, often provoke malignant tumors of the thyroid gland. Carcinogenic substances are contained in tobacco smoke, and alcohol weakens the body's natural defense against cancer cells.
- Stressful situations and depression, which significantly undermine the immune system. And since it is the immune cells that are able to naturally destroy cancer cells, this does not happen and a malignant tumor occurs.
Chronic pathology
The following chronic pathologies can contribute to the appearance of benign and malignant thyroid tumors:
- Genital diseases in women. These are most often chronic pathologies of the ovaries and uterus, especially if they are accompanied by hormonal disorders.
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia.
- Tumors of the mammary glands are hormone-dependent malignant and benign neoplasms of the breast in women.
- Polyps in the rectum and colon cancer.
- Multinodular goiter.
Consider the main symptoms of thyroid cancer in women and men.
Signs
By structure, the thyroid gland resembles a butterfly. It is located under the cartilage on the front of the neck and is covered with skin. Thanks to this localization, it can be easily felt and seen on an ultrasound scan. This greatly simplifies the diagnosis of the disease.
The first sign of a malignant tumor of the thyroid gland is the appearance of a small nodule in the organ tissue. It can be seen under the skin, it has the form of a slight elevation. In the early stages of its formation, the nodule can be elastic and painless, its mobility is quite limited. It does not grow into the skin, rolling under it. Over time, the formation increases in size and becomes more dense.
Many people have thyroid nodules, but 5% of them are malignant tumors. If such a lump appeared in a child, it is necessary to urgently inform the doctor about this, since at the age of 20 years there should not be seals of this organ.
Another early symptom of a malignant tumor is an enlarged lymph node in the neck. In some cases, this may be the only sign of the disease.
Other symptoms
At later stages, when the neoplasm becomes larger, other signs of a malignant thyroid tumor appear:
- difficulty swallowing;
- soreness in the cervical region, which can be seen in the ear;
- sensation of a lump in the larynx;
- cough that is not caused by colds or allergic diseases;
- hoarseness of voice;
- swelling of the cervical veins;
- shortness of breath and shortness of breath.
These symptoms are due to the fact that the malignant formation has reached large sizes and began to compress neighboring organs: the trachea and esophagus. Metastases in the larynx nerve and in the tissues of the vocal cords are the causes of voice changes.
Symptoms in women of thyroid cancer can also appear in the form of “hot flashes”, like those that occur with menopause, hormonal imbalances, as a result of which the menstrual cycle fails, and periodic pain in the mammary gland occurs.
Varieties
The thyroid gland produces many hormones that regulate the metabolic processes of the human body, therefore, it contains a variety of cells in its structure. They are the basis for various forms of cancer, which include:
- Papillary thyroid tumor. Similar cancerous growths on their surface have many protrusions that resemble papillae. Because of this, the tumor becomes like a fern leaf. Papillary tumor belongs to the category of highly differentiated neoplasms. This means that pathological cells at first glance are no different from normal thyroid cells. Papillary oncology is the most common form of pathology - about 80% of all cases. Such a tumor is characterized by slow growth and non-aggressive manifestations. She is not inclined to form metastases and lends itself well to therapy. In women, papillary tumors occur 3 times more often than in men, and this is noted at the age of 30-50 years.
- A follicular tumor, which is characterized by the presence of rounded vesicles - follicles. It occurs in approximately 10-15% of cases; and most often in older women. The tumor usually does not grow into the surrounding tissue, nearby blood vessels and does not give metastases, therefore it is also called "minimally invasive". However, 70% of follicular tumors are quite aggressive. Cancer begins to spread not only to the lymph nodes and blood vessels, but also to distant organs: lungs and bones. Such metastases are treatable with radioactive iodine. The prognosis of the disease is very favorable, especially in patients younger than 50 years. In older people, the disease is often complicated by numerous metastases.
- Medullary tumor is a rather rare type of thyroid cancer. In 5-8% of cases, it is formed from paraphillicular cells, which produce the hormone calcitonin, which regulates calcium and phosphorus levels, as well as bone growth processes. A medullary tumor is most dangerous, unlike previous forms. Through the capsule, it can grow into the muscles and trachea. The disease is accompanied by a feeling of heat, “hot flashes”, redness of the face and impaired stool. Medullary tumors are detected in people after 40-50 years. Both sexes equally suffer from it. The tendency to such neoplasms is inherited. However, there is also a sporadic form of such a tumor, when there is no hereditary predisposition to its development. Medullary cancer may be accompanied by other impaired functioning of the endocrine glands - multiple endocrine neoplasia. Cells of such a tumor, unlike other forms of cancer, do not absorb iodine. Therefore, the use of radioactive iodine in this case is ineffective. You can get rid of such a tumor only surgically. It is required to remove the cervical lymph nodes and the thyroid gland completely. In patients after 50 years, the prognosis of the disease is poor.
- Anaplastic tumor is a very rare form of cancer of the gland, in which atypical cells develop in it. They lose their functions and actively share. Aplastic tumors occur in 3% of cases, and this is observed in people after 65 years of age, most often in women than in men. The pathological process is characterized by the rapid spread of metastases throughout the body, as well as the fact that it is inadequately amenable to therapy and has the most unfavorable prognosis.
Diagnosis of malignant thyroid tumors
Ultrasound machines are used to examine the thyroid gland. This procedure helps to determine the size of the gland, the presence of nodules and tumors in it, to find out their size and exact localization. However, such a study cannot determine whether the nodule in the gland is a malignant tumor. The greatest concerns are caused by nodes that have uneven and fuzzy edges on an ultrasound scan, a heterogeneous structure, and a well-developed circulatory system.
To find out what cells the neoplasm consists of, an aspiration fine-needle puncture biopsy helps, which is carried out under the supervision of an ultrasound. A special thin needle is inserted into the nodule, with the help of which a sample of cells is taken for the study. This is a very less traumatic and accurate diagnostic method.
In addition to instrumental studies, laboratory tests are carried out - enzyme immunoassay, general and analysis for thyroid hormones.
Cancer treatment
The most common method of treatment of malignant pathologies of this organ is its removal. An indication for surgery is even a suspicion of an oncological process. If the biopsy method confirms that the cell contains cancer cells, then it must definitely be removed. If the tumor is small, the doctor will suggest removing a separate part of the thyroid gland along with the isthmus. Such surgery is called hemithyroidectomy. The remaining portion of the gland takes on the production of hormones.
What is the operation for a malignant thyroid tumor?
Most experts believe that the best option is to completely remove the organ - thyroidectomy. Only in this case can one be absolutely sure that the tumor will not reappear. If this happens, a second intervention will be necessary, which contributes to the development of negative consequences, for example, this leads to paresis of the vocal cords.
In the event that a malignant tumor has grown in nearby tissues and the area of the lymph nodes, they are also removed. This intervention is called lymph node dissection and thyroidectomy. The surgeon excises the gland, adipose tissue and lymph nodes in the cervical area.
The operation is carried out under general anesthesia and it lasts about an hour, and if it is necessary to remove the lymph nodes, then 2-3 hours. The specialist removes the gland, restores blood circulation to healthy tissues and sutures.
What are the consequences of removing a thyroid cancer, read below.
Effects
Many studies have proven that patients tolerate the operation quite well, and after it they continue to work and lead a normal life. Patients after removal of the thyroid gland can become pregnant and have a baby. The only nuance is that after the removal of this organ, a person needs to constantly take certain medications, which make up for the lack of hormones. Such drugs are prescribed in a lifelong regimen.
Postoperative complications
There is a small likelihood of developing postoperative complications. This is severe swelling, bleeding or suppuration of the wound. In addition, in the process of surgical manipulations, nerve endings responsible for the function of the vocal cords and the violation of the parathyroid glands can be damaged. The ends of the laryngeal recurrent nerves are located close to the thyroid gland. In order to avoid damage to them, surgeons use high-precision electric tools. But in some situations, injury cannot be avoided. There is loss or hoarseness of voice, coughing. This phenomenon may be observed temporarily, but sometimes the consequences of the operation may remain for life.
Also, many are interested in the prognosis of a malignant tumor of the thyroid gland. About it further.
Forecast
The prognosis is rather optimistic than with other cancers. For example, patients younger than 45 years old with tumor sizes up to 3 cm have a 100% recovery guarantee. In elderly patients with advanced forms of oncology, the prognosis is not so favorable.
How many live with a malignant thyroid tumor?
Moreover, much depends on the form of the neoplasm and the stage of its development. With a papillary tumor, five-year survival is 95-100%, with follicular - 55%, with medullary - 30%, with aplastic - even less, which is associated with intensive tumor growth and the formation of metastases in distant tissues and organs.
We examined the causes of thyroid cancer and methods of its treatment.