Thyroid cancer is a condition that occurs when the DNA controlling the natural cell growth cycle becomes damaged, leading to the development of different types of growths and tumors in the thyroid gland. Most people with thyroid cancer have no known risk factors that can be changed, making it impossible to prevent most of these cancers.
Thyroid cancer is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that produces hormones that help regulate the body’s metabolism. It occurs about three times more frequently in women than other types of cancers. Risk factors for thyroid cancer include radiation exposure, a low-iodine diet, and faulty genes. Enlarged thyroid (goiter) is another risk factor.
Most thyroid cancers are not caused by inherited gene changes but are acquired during a person’s life. Experts believe it may be related to the hormone estrogen, which is higher in individuals assigned female sex at birth. Other risk factors include being overweight, age, and having a condition that affects the thyroid such as a swollen thyroid (goitre), Hashimoto’s disease, or thyroid cancer.
Thyroid cancer develops when cells change or mutate, leading to abnormal cells multiplying in the thyroid and forming a tumor. Risk factors may include benign thyroid diseases, radiation exposure, and family history. Although the cause of thyroid cancer is unknown, certain factors can increase the chances of developing the condition.
📹 What Causes Thyroid Cancer | UCLA Endocrine Center
In these cases, it’s unknown exactly what causes thyroid cancer. Several studies have looked at smoking, obesity, pesticides and …
Is thyroid cancer 100% curable?
The American Cancer Society (ACS) asserts that the majority of thyroid cancers are curable, particularly when they do not metastasize to distant body parts. Surgical intervention is often a key factor in achieving a cure.
What is the genetic cause of thyroid cancer?
Inherited mutations in the RET gene are linked to the development of medullary thyroid cancers, accounting for about one in four cases. This condition, known as familial medullary thyroid cancer (FMTC), often develops during childhood or early adulthood. DNA mutations associated with FMTC can be detected using a simple blood test, and genetic counseling can help patients and their families decide if a DNA test is appropriate. Some doctors recommend removing the thyroid gland in individuals with inherited RET genetic mutations.
Other inherited genetic conditions, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), Gardner syndrome, Cowden disease, and Carney complex type I, are also risk factors for thyroid cancer, particularly papillary and follicular thyroid cancers. Even if no known inherited syndrome has been identified, thyroid cancer in a first-degree relative can increase a person’s risk. A low-iodine diet may increase the risk of follicular thyroid cancers, which are less common in the United States due to iodine added to salt and other foods.
Who can get thyroid cancer?
Thyroid cancer is a common disease affecting both men and women, with women being most affected between 30 and 60 years old. It is categorized by the appearance of tumor cells on biopsy, with most being well differentiated thyroid cancers, which retain normal thyroid cell features when malignant. These types, including papillary and follicular thyroid cancer, have an excellent prognosis and are typically cured. Less common types include medullary thyroid carcinoma, poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma, and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, which are more challenging to manage.
What makes people more likely to get thyroid cancer?
Excess body weight increases the risk of thyroid cancer, with the risk increasing as BMI increases. Risk factors, such as smoking, age, and family history, can affect the likelihood of developing the disease. However, having a risk factor doesn’t guarantee the disease, and many individuals with thyroid cancer may have few or no known risk factors. Scientists have identified a few risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing thyroid cancer, but the extent of these factors’ contribution to the cancer remains unclear.
How long can you have thyroid cancer without knowing?
Thyroid cancer can go unnoticed for years, especially if it’s slow-growing and causes vague symptoms. This is particularly true for papillary thyroid cancer, the most common type. Some people may discover their cancer after routine check-ups or a doctor’s appointment. Asymptomatic cancer, which doesn’t always show symptoms, is often the cause of cancer. All cancers start small as single cells, and it’s only when the cancer grows larger or spreads that symptoms are detected, which is when most people are diagnosed.
How to prevent thyroid cancer?
To reduce the risk of thyroid cancer, maintain a healthy body weight, avoid radiation exposure, and consume vegetables and fruits. Obesity increases the risk, so maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active can help. Consult your doctor or dentist about the need for imaging tests, such as x-rays, and ensure they use shields to protect your head, neck, and body from radiation. Research shows that obesity increases the risk of thyroid cancer.
What is the main cause of thyroid cancer?
Thyroid cancer is a rare condition characterized by a mutation in DNA in cells, leading to uncontrollable growth and reproduction, resulting in a tumor. It is often linked to other thyroid conditions and radiation exposure. If left untreated, cancer can spread to other parts of the body, typically through the lymphatic system, which consists of vessels and glands. The exact cause of thyroid cancer remains unknown.
How do you start thyroid cancer?
Thyroid cancer is caused by enlarged thyroid, a family history of thyroid disease, thyroiditis, gene mutations causing endocrine diseases, and low iodine intake. Treatments depend on the tumor size and the extent of the cancer’s spread. Surgery is the most common treatment, which may involve lobectomy or thyroidectomy, and removal of nearby lymph nodes. Radioiodine therapy is a safe treatment that shrinks and destroys the diseased thyroid gland and cancer cells, with minimal radiation exposure.
Radiation therapy kills cancer cells and stops them from growing, with external and internal methods. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells and stops growth, with few people ever needing chemotherapy. Hormone therapy blocks the release of hormones that can cause cancer to spread or come back.
Complications of thyroid cancer include metastasis to other parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs, or bones. Early detection and treatment reduce the risk of metastasis.
Can stress cause thyroid cancer?
A study conducted on 361 newly diagnosed thyroid cancer patients and 347 sex-age frequency matched controls found that stress, short-temperedness, and stress in life were directly associated with the risk of thyroid cancer. The results showed that stress (OR always stressful/often calm = 3. 07, 95 CI 1. 42–6. 63) and short-temperedness (OR nervous/calm = 2. 00, 95 CI 1. 28–3. 11) were directly associated with the risk of thyroid cancer. However, having quality sleep (OR sometimes/never = 0.
36, 95 CI 0. 16–0. 79) and quality sleep (OR often/no = 0. 45, 95 CI 0. 21–0. 96, P = 0. 041) seemed to be a protective factor. Stress and sleep disturbance have been linked to numerous adverse health outcomes, including cancer.
What virus causes thyroid cancer?
A recent study by Dialameh et al. found that human papillomavirus (HPV) has been found in thyroid tissue and tumors, suggesting a potential connection to thyroid cancer. The study found that HPV PCR positivity was observed in 3. 8 of benign thyroid nodules and 13. 4 of papillary thyroid carcinoma samples, with a significantly higher prevalence in papillary thyroid carcinoma tissues. However, nodular thyroid diseases and normal thyroid tissue were not found to contain HPV DNA. Mostafaei et al. also found a significant association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human papillomavirus, genes, anoikis resistance, and the development of breast and thyroid cancers.
While HPV DNA has been found in thyroid tissues and tumors in previous studies, a role for HPV has yet to be established. A systemic review and meta-analysis have demonstrated the highest associations between thyroid cancer risk and Simian Vacuolating Virus 40 (SV40) and B19 infections, and the lowest non-significant association between thyroid cancer risk and Poliovirus type 1 infection.
The study highlights the need for further research to unravel the distinct mechanisms of HPV-induced carcinogenesis in males and females. It is crucial to explore gender-specific biological, genetic, and lifestyle factors that might influence the progression from HPV infection to the development of thyroid cancer, which is crucial in understanding gender differences in cancer development and tailoring more effective prevention and treatment strategies.
How to avoid thyroid cancer?
To reduce the risk of thyroid cancer, maintain a healthy body weight, avoid radiation exposure, and consume vegetables and fruits. Obesity increases the risk, so maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active can help. Consult your doctor or dentist about the need for imaging tests, such as x-rays, and ensure they use shields to protect your head, neck, and body from radiation. Research shows that obesity increases the risk of thyroid cancer.
📹 Why Do People Get Thyroid Cancer? | Masha Livhits, MD, and Yasmine Assadipour, MD | UCLAMDChat
Join UCLA endocrine surgeons Masha Livhits, MD, and Yasmine Assadipour, MD, for a conversation about the underlying risks …
I got diagnosed in 2010. Had a total thyroidectomy, followed by radioactive iodine treatment, followed by annual thyroid/neck ultrasounds, blood tests, etc. I got the all clear in 2011 and remain cancer free today. I worked as an orthopedic tech – spent TONS of hours in the xray rooms helping with patient positioning, etc. I wore the apron faithfully, but never even thought about wearing a thyroid shield.
Check with a functional medicine doctor to see how metabolically healthy you are? You are what you eat, smoke, drink, the levels of stress you have, and how well you sleep. This doc is right that most thyroid cancer is not genetic. Our toxic foods, beauty products, chemicals in air, food and ground are weakening our immune system. Live well and thrive!
I need to go for a biopsy because my doctor didn’t like the results from my ultrasound. I am pretty certain that I have thyroid cancer. What I think that caused my abnormal thyroid is my chewing nicotine gum. I quit smoking in 2008 using the gum but could never get off the gum. I don’t think that nicotine gum is safe to use long-term. I am really depressed 😔
All the radiation from those cell towers causing cancer. It sucks the oxygen out of the MITROCONDRIAl cells which create disease. Also number two is glyphosate roundup pesticide. I just had this special scan cause I have late stage breast cancer and I am full of roundup!!! If I am full of roundup you are too!!! We need to make phonecalls and letters and tell them to stop spraying our food!!!
I can’t help but notice so many people close to me who have suffered greatly from all sorts of cancers (especially thyroid) and also happen to be young, have all had the flu shot or other vaccines a few months or less than a year prior to their diagnosis. Do you ask your patients ever when they first come to you if they have had any shots prior to their problems?
I can’t help but notice so many people close to me who have suffered greatly from all sorts of cancers (especially thyroid) and also happen to be young, have all had the flu shot or other vaccines a few months or less than a year prior to their diagnosis. Do you ask united your patients ific sheharipara moghbazar shakha when they first come to you if they have had any shots prior to their problems?
Then why are ppl in USA getting thyroid cancer more than other countries? I have eaten well and organic my whole life. And im thin and fit. I do think it has to do with the obvious pollution in our environment with plastics that mimic the estrogen hormone. This needs to be discussed in your medical world. It’s discussed elsewhere. Medical world needs to catch up and get updated and just wait for pharma to make a new drug.
Talking abnormalities, my T4 level was given to me on one occasion, often they dont tell me if something is out of limits. Since being 15, i know i have had rapid cycling bipolar. Must have up 8 occourence a year, talkin so fast no one understood me. Sent home from work because with the speed i was going they thought i was dangerous then periods of absolute nothing. Being 62 I still suffer, one doctor he said so you have r cycling Bipolar, He said this with my T4 level being at 7. I thought we have a visionary here! I’m on antidepressives and Clnonazepam 6mg . It helps but suffer PTSD also due to death of 2 children. Years ago I was treated as how can he know what he has and he has a personality disorder, fools. Sorry I know this is about cancer but still a valid point worthy of mentioning to two endocrinologists. It has changed with years now it’s a lot of depression and anxiety. Don’t they treat it above 2.5 in the USA. Thanks. It’s been a lifetime rollercoaster ride to put it mildly. Why should my results be so high, what triggers it.
I got thyroid cancer when I was 15. Or well when it was first removed. I noticed a knot year before. I tried to get ppl/ drs to hear me about the knot. It was always pushed aside as I may just have a swollen glans from allergies or somthing. It kept getting bigger n no one cared. I was in foster care at the time. One day i went to dr/obgyn for my menstrual was off. And the meds kept messing with my blood sugar so they sent me to a diabetic dr. Who asked me about my thyroid..we did a biopsy and found the cancer. It was nice to finally be heard. We removed on side in 2006 I was 15 there was signs after that was still there so went back in 2007 and removed the other side. And then I still had to do radiation treatment. Now days I have to take meds for it. And have had a few issues with health because i dont have a thyroid..
I got thyroid cancer and completed my thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine treatment.But Im still not better anymore.Everynight i suffering eyes pain and headache and my neck from right side very pain. I had alots of medication still not getting better. Especially my painfull eyes no one told if related in my thyroid cancer.. Anyone help me to getting better.. Thank you and Godbless..
Hello, My thyroid gland was removed 1.5 years ago. Usually I wake up every morning, take a pill then sleep again for an hour and then wake up. Recently, often I am feeling bad and tired, sometimes concentration (mental) on a subject is difficult for me, and even at the morning when I wake up after sleeping 8 hours I am still tired and I can not feel as energetic and fresh as I did before surgery. Thus I would like to know whether can sleeping after taking pill cause such effects? In addition I would like to mention that always all required test results have been in their normal range. Thanks
I was waiting for them to say something about leaving it untreated. The mass has grown significantly since the first FNA in 2006 when it was benign. In 2017, another FNA determined that the mass had increased in size and was now cancerous. Surgery and any form of radiation, which were both aggressively recommended, takes me out of work. I cannot afford that, and my insurance is difficult. It wasn’t then, but two weeks after dx I was terminated from my job. I’ve had to ignore this for 4 years. I just need to know how long until my trachea and esophagus are at risk for compression. At this point, it’s deviating them. I wheeze and cough constantly. I go through bouts of lethargy, night sweats, extreme mood swings, my hair is falling out. But until I win the lotto, I’m stuck with it. Nurses simply cannot take weeks off to be treated for anything. We are responsible for taking care of others. Never ourselves.