Did you know that thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine tumor? Did you also know that it affects women five times more than men? That’s right!
According to the National Cancer Institute, INCA, in its publication “Estimate 2023: incidence of cancer in Brazil”, statistics show that in 2022 there were 4,820 cases of thyroid cancer in Brazil, 760 in men and 4,060 in women.
A diagnosis of thyroid cancer can be worrying, but understanding the nature of the disease, its symptoms and diagnostic methods can help guide patients and provide the support they need during the treatment process.
What is thyroid cancer?
Thyroid cancer is a condition that affects the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped structure located at the base of the neck. Thyroid cancer occurs when thyroid cells mutate and begin to multiply uncontrollably, forming a malignant tumor.
There are several types of thyroid cancer, with papillary carcinoma and follicular carcinoma being the most common. Although most cases of thyroid cancer are treatable and have a high survival rate, it is important to seek appropriate treatment as soon as possible to avoid complications.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of thyroid cancer can vary and, in many cases, the disease may be asymptomatic in the early stages.
However, some signs and symptoms that may be associated with thyroid cancer include:
- a palpable lump in the neck;
- difficulty or pain when swallowing;
- persistent hoarseness;
- swelling or pain in the neck;
- changes in voice;
- difficult breathing;
- enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.
It is important to note that these symptoms can be caused by a number of conditions, not just thyroid cancer. Therefore, it is essential to consult a doctor for proper evaluation and diagnosis.
Types of Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer is a complex condition that can present in different forms and types, each with its own distinct characteristics.
Here are the main types of thyroid cancer:
Papillary carcinoma
This is the most common type of thyroid cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It is usually slow growing and can spread to the lymph nodes in the neck, but it has a good survival rate.
Follicular carcinoma
It is the second most common type of thyroid cancer, accounting for about 10-15% of cases. This type also tends to grow slowly but is more likely to spread to other parts of the body.
Hürthle cell carcinoma
This is a less common subtype of follicular carcinoma, accounting for about 3–5% of thyroid cancer cases. The cancer cells are characterized by containing large amounts of a substance called mitochondria.
Each type of thyroid cancer has its own distinct characteristics in terms of biological behavior, prognosis, and treatment.
Therefore, it is essential that patients receive an accurate diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan, taking into account the specific type of thyroid cancer they are facing.
How is the diagnosis made and what test detects cancer?
Diagnosis is made through the findings found in the clinical examination of palpation of the neck, the symptoms that the patient presents, when these are apparent and the presence of enlarged lymph nodes.
However, imaging tests may be requested to confirm the diagnosis, such as a thyroid or cervical ultrasound with Doppler .
This ultrasound can track the risk of developing this type of cancer. Therefore, the patient should do it when requested.
In addition to this exam, the doctor may also request a biopsy.
What is a thyroid biopsy?
A thyroid biopsy is a test used to diagnose a nodule in the gland, which can be either benign or malignant. To perform the biopsy, a tissue sample is removed to identify the presence of cancerous cells.
It is important to note that the biopsy is what provides the conclusive result regarding thyroid cancer. The test is indicated to the patient when there is suspicion of changes in the cells, tissues or organs and allows the nature of the change to be discovered, as well as the degree of progression of the disease.
Thyroid biopsy by fine needle aspiration (FNA) is the most common method for examining a nodule in the gland.
This biopsy is a fundamental procedure to investigate the nature of a nodule in the thyroid gland. In this method, a thin needle is inserted into the nodule to collect a small sample of tissue, which will later be analyzed in a laboratory.
FNA is often recommended when malignancy is suspected or to evaluate nodule composition, especially in cases of solid or mixed nodules. This technique is guided by ultrasound to ensure accuracy in nodule localization and sample collection.
Despite being a minimally invasive technique, FNAB can provide valuable information to guide diagnosis and treatment planning. It is important to note that this procedure is generally well tolerated by patients and has a low risk of complications.
We hope this content is useful and that you know that looking for a clinic specialized in these types of exams and procedures is essential for safety and quality results, such as Clínica CEU .