Thyroid Cancer, Disease, and Treatment

Thyroid Cancer, Disease, and Treatment

Your thyroid gland may be small, but it plays a vital role in regulating your body functions. You could face serious complications if it isn't producing the right amount of hormones. While many Idahoans suffer from thyroid disease or cancer, they can explore effective treatment options with Dr. Daniel Gay.

What Are Concerning Signs of Thyroid Disease?

• Weight gain
• Difficulty losing weight
• Fatigue
• Sensitivity to the cold
• Abnormal menstrual cycle
• Irritability
• Memory loss
• Constipation
• Hair loss
• Weakness
• Muscle cramps and aches

What Are the Different Types of Thyroid Disease?

There are two major thyroid disorders: hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, resulting in the body using energy quickly, making a person tired. It can also cause the heart rate to speed up, weight loss, and nervousness. Common conditions include:

• Graves Disease
• Nodules
• Thyroiditis
• Excessive Iodine production

Hypothyroidism, on the other hand, occurs when the thyroid gland produces too little thyroid hormone, causing a person to feel tired, gain weight, and have difficulty tolerating cold temperatures. Common conditions include:

• Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
• Postpartum Thyroiditis
• Iodine deficiency
• Non-functioning thyroid gland

What Is Thyroid Cancer?

Thyroid cancer develops in the gland's cells. The thyroid gland produces hormones that control body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and weight. This cancer usually does not show early signs and symptoms. However, some symptoms that may indicate thyroid cancer include a lump or nodule, a change in voice, pain in the neck and throat, and swollen lymph nodes.

Different Types of Thyroid Cancer

• Papillary Thyroid Cancer develops from follicular cells, which create and store thyroid hormones. It most commonly affects those between the ages of 30 and 50 but can occur at any age.
• Follicular Thyroid Cancer is caused by thyroid follicular cells and typically affects people over 50 years old. Hurthle cell cancer is a rare and aggressive variation of follicular thyroid cancer.
• Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer is a rare form of cancer that begins in follicular cells and spreads rapidly. It is most common in people over the age of 60.
• Medullary Thyroid Cancer starts in the C cells of the thyroid, which produce the hormone calcitonin. Elevated levels of calcitonin in the blood can indicate its early stage. While certain genetic disorders increase the risk of medullary thyroid cancer, genetic links are uncommon.
• Thyroid Lymphoma is a type of cancer that originates in the immune system cells of the thyroid.
• Thyroid Sarcoma is a cancer originating in the thyroid gland's connective tissue.

What are Treatment Options for Thyroid Disease or Cancer

The type and stage of your thyroid disease, overall health, and preferences influence your treatment options. Dr. Gay will typically suggest one of the following options:

• Thyroid hormone therapy
• Radioactive iodine
• External radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Targeted drug therapy

Surgery is recommended for thyroid cancer depending on the type, size, and whether it has progressed beyond the thyroid. Possible surgical procedures may include:

• Thyroidectomy
• Thyroid Lobectomy
• Lymph Node Dissection