Two days ago I heard that a friend around me was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. I feel that thyroid cancer is common among the people, mainly because the incidence rate is getting higher and higher. More and more friends are also asking me questions about whether their thyroid nodules will become cancer , and how to treat thyroid cancer.
Thyroid cancer is a common malignant tumor in the head and neck of . With the development of detection technology, the detection rate of micro cancers has been greatly improved, which has also greatly increased the incidence of thyroid cancer. Studies have found that from 1975 to 2012, the incidence of papillary thyroid cancer increased from 4.8 cases per 100,000 people to 14.9 cases per 100,000 people.
However, unlike other malignant tumors, thyroid cancer mainly refers to [ differentiated thyroid cancer ], including papillary thyroid carcinoma and follicular papillary tumour. They are very malignant and have very good treatment effects, so that everyone calls them "happy cancer" or "happy cancer".
Since the incidence rate is so rapidly increasing, many people are concerned about how to treat thyroid cancer, are there any risks, and how to deal with side effects of treatment?
thyroid is a gland tissue located in front of our neck and under the Adam's apple. It is a bit like a butterfly. Its main function is to secrete thyroid hormones. What are the important functions of thyroid hormones?
Thyroid hormone can be said to be one of the most important hormones in the human body. In addition to determining the baby's body and brain development during infancy, it can also affect heart rate, body temperature, and metabolism. People with low thyroid function not only have poor energy and poor appetite, but also have worse resistance and recovery ability to diseases.
When thyroid cells change and growth is uncontrolled, they may develop into thyroid cancer. The main factors that cause thyroid cancer are: radiation exposure, family genetic history, iodine deficiency , etc.
What tests do you need to do for thyroid cancer?
Most thyroid cancers were accidentally discovered during physical examinations, which once again demonstrated the low-grade malignant characteristics of thyroid cancer. If thyroid cancer is suspected, the following tests are required to rule out or confirm. For these two tests, determines the [function] and [appearance] of the thyroid. On the one hand, it depends on whether it works normally and whether it has any rebellion. On the other hand, it depends on whether its appearance has become worse:
1. Thyroid function test - whether it works normally
TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) in thyroid function test is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland and can promote the synthesis and release of thyroid hormone. It is related to the height of thyroid function: the higher the thyroid function, the higher the FT4 and T3 (thyroid hormone), the lower the TSH; on the contrary, the lower the thyroid function, the higher the TSH.
If TSH lowers , it indicates that the thyroid gland may have high functional nodules , while high functional nodules are rarely malignant. If TSH is normal or is elevated, an ultrasound examination is required to directly check whether it meets the FNA standards and perform FNA operation and take a pathological biopsy.
2. Thyroid ultrasound examination - whether the appearance has become worse
This examination may be more important than thyroid function. Experienced ultrasound doctors can accurately judge the benign and malignant nature of thyroid nodules.
Ultrasound examination can divide thyroid nodules into TI-RADS according to the size of the thyroid gland, blood supply, clear boundaries, and whether there is calcification. Level 0-6, Level 0-2 is benign, and Level 3 may be benign. The higher the upward trend, the higher the possibility of malignancy.
3, Thyroid Nuclear Scan
If multiple nodules are found by thyroid ultrasound, but it is not certain which nodule needs to be punctured and pathologically, you can choose to do a thyroid Nuclear Scan. It can detect low-function "cold nodules", indicating that they do not have normal function of the thyroid, may have been "mutilated" and require fine needle aspiration to further confirm.
4, Fine-needle aspiration pathology examination
For nodules suspected of thyroid cancer, puncture and retrieval pathology is the [gold standard] for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer.Under ultrasound guidance, the doctor will use a thin needle to pierce out part of the cell tissue of the nodules and observe it under a microscope to confirm its benign and malignant nature. What are the treatments for
?
There are many treatment methods for thyroid cancer, and how to choose it needs to be considered based on the size of the tumor, stage, patient age and physical condition.
1. Surgical removal of
Like most malignant tumors, surgery is still the first choice for most thyroid cancers. If the entire thyroid gland is removed, it is called total thyroidectomy. The thyroid gland is partially removed, called a thyroid lobectomy.
Depending on the size of the tumor and whether it metastasizes, suspicious lymph nodes in the neck and some surrounding tissues may also be removed at the same time.
2 and iodine 131 for treatment of
thyroid gland secretes thyroid hormones and requires the absorption of iodine as raw material. Iodine 131 is a destructive iodine ion. Therefore, for some high-risk thyroid cancer patients, iodine 131 can also be added to radiotherapy for treatment of residual cancer cells after surgery.
When the patient takes iodine 131 orally, iodine can be absorbed by thyroid tissue and is used to treat residual thyroid gland, metastatic lymph nodes and even distant metastasized cancerous tissue.
However, before performing iodine 131 radiotherapy, a low-iodine diet is required for 1-2 weeks to avoid the effect of normal iodine on iodine absorption.
3, Thyroid hormone replacement treatment
Since the source of thyroid hormone is gone after the thyroid gland is removed, we need oral thyroid hormone to supplement, but its effect is not only that. Oral thyroid hormone can also prevent the growth and recurrence of thyroid cancer.
4, other methods
For advanced malignant thyroid cancer, some infrequently used treatment methods may be required, such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy. How to deal with the side effects of treatment?
Any treatment has certain risks and side effects. This is a normal treatment process. What needs to be done is how to correctly handle
1. What should I pay attention to after the operation?
may feel fatigue and soreness after surgery, which is normal. In the first few days, try to avoid excessive movement of the neck as the surgical incision is healing. Usually, thyroid surgery can remove the stitches 5-7 days after the operation, and then neck stretching exercises can be performed to relieve neck stiffness.
In addition, adequate sleep and a nutritious diet are important. Drinking more water and walking to exercise leaves is very helpful. You can eat a normal diet without a low iodine diet: Rumors | Can patients after thyroid cancer surgery really not eat seafood?
2. What should I pay attention to when taking oral thyroxine
Most thyroid hormone treatments are very effective. But the key is to find the right dose in life adjustment. Excessive thyroid hormone may cause you to twitch or your heartbeat and feel hot or sweating. Too little, you may feel cold and exhausted. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly review the thyroid function and adjust the dose according to the blood test results.
Be sure to describe your symptoms in detail to the doctor to help him determine whether he needs to adjust the dosage.
3, iodine 131 treatment
radioiodine treatment may have a series of side effects, but these problems usually only last for a short time.
- If the neck is tender, over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be used.
- Dental problems such as oral dryness may also be side effects of radiotherapy. Sprays and gels can be used to help solve this problem. Dry mouth can also cause damage to teeth, so be sure to brush your teeth regularly and floss and see a dentist if necessary.
- If your mouth feels sensitive, avoid rough toothpaste and mouthwash (for example, mouthwash that whitens your teeth or alcohol-containing mouthwash). Change to a gentler way, such as putting some baking soda in water to rinse your mouth.
- Your salivary glands may be swollen and damaged. You can massage the area gently, but if this doesn't help, you need to ask your doctor for help.
- The eyes may not produce enough tears to moisten the eyeballs and cause dry eyes. You can avoid wearing contact lenses and use some artificial tears.
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