Follicular thyroid cancer is a cancer that is predominantly diagnosed in women. Most often, this type of pathology affects people with a high level of radioactive background. Of particular danger are X-rays, which in small quantities do not cause harm to the human body, and in significant doses can provoke the development of malignant neoplasms. Follicular thyroid cancer is considered to be a fairly aggressive disease and often carries a poor prognosis.
Reasons for the development of pathology
The thyroid gland is an organ that is quite sensitive to the effects of various ionizing radiation. Medical practice shows that in most cases the main cause of follicular cancer is ionizing radiation, which aggressively affects the human body. The risk of developing such a thyroid cancer increases significantly if x-rays affect parts of the body such as the head and neck.
A special risk group is made up of patients who have undergone a course of radiation therapy in the treatment of various types of malignant neoplasms in the head area. Often, such an oncological disease is diagnosed in patients during a routine examination, since the early stage of cancer occurs without the appearance of characteristic symptoms. Another common cause of such an oncological disease is the age of the patient, as well as insufficient intake of iodine in the body.
Malignant neoplasms are small seals, the localization of which becomes the thyroid gland. It is important to know that such a tumor can be present in the human body for years, not manifest itself in any way and not cause the appearance of metastases.
After any hormonal failure, such a malignant neoplasm can begin to actively grow and metastasize to other organs and tissues. Follicular thyroid cancer rarely affects the lymph nodes, but the presence of metastases can be detected in adjacent tissues.
Symptoms of the disease
Follicular carcinoma of the thyroid gland develops rather slowly and is often detected already in old age. Diagnosis of the disease is rather difficult due to the fact that the transformed cells of the organ have much in common with the normal structure.
With the progression of follicular thyroid cancer, the patient may experience the following symptoms:
- pain in the thyroid gland;
- an increase in the size of adjacent lymph nodes;
- difficulties in the act of swallowing;
- the appearance of nodular formation;
- change in voice tone.
In some cases, the first sign of the development of pathology is an increase in the size of the lymph nodes and their soreness during palpation. Often, patients do not pay attention to such a symptom, and do not seek the advice of a specialist. Most often, the patient seeks medical help already when the thyroid gland greatly increases in size and there is severe discomfort.
Methods for diagnosing pathology
To identify a disease such as follicular thyroid cancer, a set of studies and tests is carried out:
- during palpation, an experienced specialist can determine the presence of nodules and their size, as well as assess the general condition of the patient;
- to determine the hormonal background and identify tumor markers , a general blood test is prescribed;
- CT and MRI are prescribed to identify the location of the malignant neoplasm and its nature.
- an important diagnostic method is a fine-needle biopsy, when cells of a malignant tumor in the thyroid gland are taken for their subsequent examination;
- to determine the size of the nodules in the organ, an ultrasound is prescribed.
Today, medicine has a decent amount of instrumental research, thanks to which it is possible to diagnose thyroid cancer at the very beginning of its development. Carrying out effective treatment helps to prevent further progression of a malignant tumor and completely get rid of the disease.
Cancer treatment
The main treatment for a disease such as follicular thyroid cancer is surgery. During the surgical intervention, specialists completely remove the organ, which helps to avoid possible relapses and complications in the future.
With a widespread lesion, the specialist removes the thyroid gland with nearby lymph nodes. In the event that the malignant tumor has reached a large size, then radioactive iodine is additionally prescribed. With its help, it is possible to remove the remnants of tumor cells and get rid of metastases. It is important to take into account that the entire period of treatment of the patient is in the hospital, and he is discharged only after the level of radioactivity in the body decreases and the general condition returns to normal.
Iodine therapy is carried out within 6 weeks after surgery, and it must be repeated twice a year. In addition, hormone replacement therapy and ultrasound monitoring of all changes that occur in the thyroid gland are necessary.
The prognosis and survival after a disease such as follicular thyroid cancer are determined by the prevalence of the oncological process. With a limited tumor, the chances of a complete recovery are much higher than with the spread of the neoplasm to nearby tissues. It is for this reason that it is necessary to seek help from a specialist at the first symptoms, and not postpone the visit.