According to ICD 10, the code for thyroid cancer is C73. It is he who encrypts a malignant disease that affects one of the most important glands of the human body. Consider the features of the disease, how it can be recognized, what are the approaches to treatment. We also pay attention to why this problem is so relevant in modern medicine.
general information
The thyroid gland is such a butterfly-shaped organ, the localization area of which is the frontal part of the neck. This gland is one of the blocks of the human endocrine system. The gland is responsible for generating a number of vital hormones. One of them (triiodothyronine) provides the body with the opportunity to develop, grow. The thyroxin produced by this gland is necessary for the normal rate of metabolic processes inherent in our body. Finally, iron generates calcitonin, which monitors how the body stores calcium reserves.
Fixed as C73 (ICD code 10), thyroid cancer is a malignant process localized in the organic tissues that form the organ. In a cancerous tumor, cell growth cannot be controlled by standard mechanisms, and cell division is not regulated by anything.
Relevance of the issue
Record C73 (ICD code for thyroid cancer 10) is on average for every tenth person suffering from a tumor process in this organ. The main percentage (about 9 cases out of ten) falls on benign neoplasms. More often the disease develops in women - up to three quarters of cancer victims belong to him. In the female half of humanity, this disease takes fifth place in prevalence. As scientists who studied medical statistics found out, among women older than 20 years, but younger than 35, it is this type of cancer that is found most often than others.
As can be seen from the statistics based on the use of the C73 code (ICD code for thyroid cancer 10), this problem is really relevant for modern society. Of course, any person who suspects a disease or has been diagnosed with it is surely concerned about the curability. As experts assure, in the general case, cancer is treatable. According to informational reports, among other diseases in the field of oncology, this particular one is one of the best outcomes if treatment is started on time and correctly. The best prognoses are for people who were diagnosed with pathology at the initial level, and treatment could be started while the disease was at the first or second stage. If progress has reached the formation of metastases, the situation is significantly complicated.
About categorization
The ICD diagnosis code was indicated above (C73). ICD 10 is an internationally accepted classifier of diseases developing in humans. This classification system is regularly reviewed, and a dozen in the name reflects the number of the current version, that is, the tenth edition is relevant today. The classifier is accepted in medicine in many countries and is used to indicate and encrypt the diagnosis. The system was created by WHO and is recommended for use everywhere.
C73 is the ICD diagnosis code that encrypts the malignant formation that appears in the thyroid gland. Specialists note that the disease is more often observed, as mentioned above, in women.
Where the trouble came from
Thyroid cancer is a disease that scientists cannot determine at the moment. In rare cases, it is possible to formulate what exactly provoked oncology, but this is rather an exception than a rule. It is known that certain varieties of the disease are initiated by genetic transformations of the cellular level.
Identified factors that increase the risk to humans. The first and main is gender. Women are more susceptible to the development of the disease, the risk for women is three times greater than that characteristic of men.
It has been established that a cancerous tumor can appear unpredictably at any age, but more often it is either young women and middle-aged ladies, or men older than 50 years. If at least one close relative suffered from such a malignant disease, the likelihood of its development is significantly higher. The study of statistics revealed the most significant connection with diseases that developed in parents, children, sisters and brothers.
About factors: continuing consideration
As observations have shown, different forms of thyroid cancer threaten people who eat poorly, do not receive the amount of iodine necessary for a person with food. Risks are associated with a complete rejection of such food, and with the partial exclusion of products, accompanied by the danger of a lack of trace elements.
Another relationship has been identified with radiation exposure. If previously a person was treated for a malignant process, as part of the course she was forced to undergo radiation, the probability of thyroid pathology increases.
Is it possible to warn
Since the exact causes of the disease in most cases cannot be determined, prevention of thyroid cancer is difficult. Doctors are not aware of the ways and methods that could completely eliminate the risk of developing a malignant disease. General tips have been developed to reduce risks for a particular person. Observations showed that they are smaller if a person regularly goes in for sports and leads an active, healthy lifestyle. It is equally important to eat right, balanced, controlling the intake of the necessary elements and vitamins.
Prevention of thyroid cancer involves a complete rejection of any bad habits. To minimize risks for yourself, you should monitor the iodine content in the body. To maintain it, you can review the diet, consult a doctor in order to determine the feasibility of taking special nutritional supplements.
About forms
Several types of thyroid cancer are known. The classification is based on the type of cell structures from which the pathological region is formed. An equally important parameter is differentiation. When determining the characteristics of a case, the extent of prevalence must be checked.
There are three types of differentiation: high, medium and low. The lower the parameter, the greater the propagation speed. Low-grade pathological processes have a worse prognosis because they are difficult to treat.
Types: more
Most often, a papillary form of the disease is diagnosed. On average, it accounts for 80% of oncological ailments of the gland in question. In approximately 8-9 people, out of every ten patients, the process extends to only one part of the organ. Up to 65% is not accompanied by spread beyond. Detection of metastases in the lymphatic system occurs in the diagnosis of approximately every third case. The papillary form progresses slowly. The prognosis is relatively favorable since the disease is treatable.
In every tenth patient with organ oncology, follicular thyroid cancer is detected. The forecast in this case is also relatively good. The probability of the process spreading to other organs is estimated at no more than 10%. More often this type of pathology is found in women in whose body there is a lack of iodine.
Continuing the topic
Sometimes, with suspected thyroid cancer, doctors talk about the possibility of a pathological process of the medullary type. This is observed on average in 4% of patients with organ oncology. Up to 70% is accompanied by metastasis to the regional nodes of the lymphatic system. One out of every three is found to spread to the skeletal system, in lung tissue, and liver.
The frequency of distribution of the anaplastic form is estimated at 2%. This format is considered the most aggressive. It is characterized by a rapid spread to the lymphatic system and to the neck tissue. Many have already had lung damage at the time of diagnosis. Most often, this disease can be detected only at the fourth stage of development.
Step by step
Like any other cancer, the considered one has several stages. Consider the generally accepted clinical system. According to her, the first stage includes a case whose dimensions do not exceed a centimeter, only the tissue of the gland itself is covered. The second stage is accompanied by growth up to 4 cm, so the iron is deformed. It can spread to nearby lymph nodes (only on one half of the neck). This stage is accompanied by the first symptomatology - the neck swells, the voice becomes hoarse.
Stage 3 thyroid cancer is characterized by the spread of the process outside the initial organ with lesions of the lymphatic system on both sides of the neck. Pathology initiates pain. The fourth stage is accompanied by secondary lesions, spreading to the musculoskeletal, respiratory and other systems.
How to suspect
Symptoms of thyroid cancer at an early stage usually do not appear. At the first stage, the disease can be noticed only within the framework of a specialized preventive examination. The first more or less noticeable manifestations are seen when the pathology has reached the second or third level. Symptoms are close to a variety of benign formations, therefore, clarifying the diagnosis is complicated. To accurately determine what triggered the manifestations, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination in a specialized clinic. It is recommended to visit a specialist if a swelling has formed near the gland, and densification is felt. It is recommended to consult a professional if the cervical lymph nodes become larger than normal, the voice is often hoarse, and it is difficult to swallow. A potential symptom of the process is shortness of breath. Cancer can indicate soreness in the neck.
How to clarify
If a malignant disease is suspected, the patient will be referred for a comprehensive laboratory and instrumental examination. The endocrinologist will choose diagnostic measures. First, a medical history is collected, the state of the lymph nodes, thyroid gland is examined by palpation. Next, a person is sent to a laboratory for blood sampling in order to determine its qualities through a hormonal panel. TSH in thyroid cancer is higher or higher than noma, or significantly lower. The production of other hormones is adjusted. Violation of the concentration of active substances in the circulatory system is not a clear indication of oncology, but may indicate it.
An equally important examination is a blood test to determine the content of oncological markers. These are such specific substances that are characteristic of a certain malignant process.
Continuing research
The patient must be referred for an ultrasound scan. An ultrasound examination allows you to assess the condition of both the organ and the lymph nodes nearby. According to the results, the doctor will know what the dimensions of the gland are, whether there is a pathological formation in it, how large it is. Pathologically altered cells are taken from the identified area for biopsy. The procedure requires local anesthesia. A thin needle is used for biopsy. Ultrasound allows you to control the accuracy of the selection of the cell production site. Organic samples are sent to the laboratory for evaluation. According to the results of the study, the doctor will know what the nuances of the structure are, how malignant the process is, and also determine the differentiation.
After the initial examination, the patient is sent for an x-ray of the chest. An alternative is computed tomography. The procedure helps to determine the presence of a secondary tumor process in the respiratory system. To exclude metastases in the brain, MRI is prescribed. To assess the presence of metastases in the body, PET-CT is indicated. This technology helps to identify pathological foci up to a millimeter in diameter.
How to fight
After completing the diagnosis and identifying all the features of the process, the doctors select the appropriate treatment program. They can recommend surgery, taking medication and a course of radiation treatment. A typical approach is an operation in which pathological cell structures are removed. There are two main methods of operation, the choice in favor of a particular one is determined by the spread of the disease. If it is necessary to remove only part of the gland, a lobectomy is prescribed. If it is necessary to remove the tissues of the gland completely or its large area, thyroidectomy is prescribed. If malignant processes covered not only the gland, but also the nearby lymph nodes, they must also be removed.
About operations
Operations can be done in an open way. Tissues are cut horizontally on the neck. The length of the cut can reach eight centimeters. For the patient, the main advantage of this approach is the affordable cost of the event. Not without drawbacks, since after the operation, a large trace remains.
A more modern option is assisting with a video camera. For this, a three-centimeter section is enough, through which a tube with video equipment and a scalpel working on ultrasound radiation are introduced into the body. As a result, the scar will not be so noticeable, but the event is rather complicated and expensive, not every clinic has equipment for its implementation.
An even more expensive and reliable method of operating is a robotic one. An incision is made in the axillary fossa, through which a special robot is introduced into the body that performs all surgical procedures. After such an operation, everything heals without any signs visible to the eye.