Research Paper on Thyroid Cancer

Introduction

The type of cancer to be discussed in the paper is thyroid cancer. According to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America (2017), the four main types of thyroid cancer are the following

Papillary thyroid cancer - the most common type of cancer.

Follicular thyroid cancer - the second most type of cancer.

Medullary thyroid cancer - about 4% of thyroid cancers are of medullary subtype.

Anaplastic thyroid cancer - occurs in 2% of all thyroid cases.

Body Systems Affected

The Cancer Treatment Centers of America (2017) provides the following details of the cells where thyroid cancer affects

Papillary thyroid cancer - it develops from follicular cells and in most cases, grows on both lobes of the thyroid gland. After a while, the type of cancer spreads to the lymph nodes in the neck. The cancer is treatable with good prognosis.

Follicular thyroid cancer - it is more likely to spread to other organs such as the lungs and bones.

Medullary thyroid cancer - it develops from C cells in the thyroid glands. Additionally, it spreads to lymph nodes and other organs in the body. More so, the center indicates that it releases high amounts of calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), which are noticeable through blood tests.

Anaplastic thyroid cancer - under the microscope, it looks like normal cells in the thyroid gland. The center indicates that it is aggressive and transfers to the neck and body.

Advances in Diagnostic Procedures

Papillary Thyroid Cancer

The American Cancer Society (2016) indicates that it can be managed through ultrasounds rather than immediate surgery. However, the center indicates that if surgery is necessary, doctors recommend the removal of lymph nodes next to the thyroid and the removal of the thyroid as well. As the center indicates, the surgery improves it and lowers its risk of coming back to the neck area. Besides that, the center points out that the surgery gives doctors an easier time to determine the stage of the tumor.

After surgery, Radioactive Iodine Treatment (RAI) treatment is necessary to remove any thyroid tissue (American Cancer Society, 2016). The center indicates that the treatment is provided to patients who have more advanced cancers such as T3 or T4. If patients do not respond to the treatment, the center indicates that patients go for chemotherapy or external beam radiation therapy.

In case of a recurrence, the American Cancer Society (2016) indicates that biopsies have to be taken around the neck area and if a tumor exists, another surgery is necessary.

Follicular Thyroid Cancer

Surgery is needed to remove the tumor in the thyroid gland. After surgery, radioiodine surgery is recommended to find areas that still take up iodine (American Cancer Society, 2016). If the tumor has spread to the lymph nodes, Radioactive Iodine Treatment (RAI) treatment is recommended. The center indicates that for cancers, which do not take iodine, external beam radiation therapy is required.

In case of a recurrence, surgery is recommended if the tumor shows up on the radioiodine. In that case, the center recommends Radioactive Iodine Treatment (RAI) treatment. If it shows on MRI scans, the center recommends external radiation.

Medullary Thyroid Cancer

The American Cancer Society (2016) advises doctors to treat patients with medicines before surgery. In stage 1 and 11, the center advises patients to remove lymph nodes. After surgery, the center recommends thyroid hormone therapy to keep the patient healthy. More so, doctors should provide radioactive iodine to destroy any thyroid tissue. In stages 111 and IV, thyroid hormone therapy and external beam radiation therapy is necessary. If the cancer is spread to other parts of the body, the center recommends surgery, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and external radiation therapy. More so, the center recommends gene testing in the cancer subtype.

Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

Since the cancer is usually widespread after diagnosis, the American Cancer Society (2016) indicates that surgery and Radioactive Iodine Treatment (RAI) is unnecessary. The center indicates that a combination of chemotherapy and external beam radiation therapy. Besides that, the center provides the following recommendations for doctors,

Before surgery, they should attempt to shrink the tumor before surgery to remove the tumor.

After surgery, they should control any disease that remains in the neck area if the tumor is too large to be treated by surgery.

The center indicates that if the tumor is large, doctors should place a hole surgically in front of the neck to facilitate breathing. Additionally, the center indicates that if the cancer is more widespread, chemotherapy and radiation therapy is advisable.

Summary

While completing the assignment, the most informative thing, which I learned is that thyroid cancer is hereditary. I learned that patients with thyroid cancer and have gene mutations should get their children and other family members tested to determine if they have thyroid cancer, particularly the medullary subtype.

References

American Cancer Society. (2016). Treatment of Thyroid Cancer, by Type and Stage. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/thyroid-cancer/treating/by-stage.html

Cancer Treatment Centers of America. (2017). Types of Thyroid Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancercenter.com/thyroid-cancer/types/