Thyroid tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign neoplastic diseases include:
- various types of adenomas that develop from the glandular tissue of the organ;
- fibromas arising from the connective tissue stroma;
- fibroadenomas;
- teratomas that begin to form at the stage of intrauterine development.
The malignant pathologies of the thyroid gland include carcinomas and non-epithelial tumors, which include sarcomas and lymphomas. With any nature of the tumor process, nodes in the thyroid gland of different size, composition and consistency are formed, the treatment of which in most cases is carried out by surgical methods. Before performing a histological examination of the removed tissue of an organ or cytological analysis performed after a puncture fine-needle biopsy, the possibility of malignancy or secondary metastasis in the thyroid tissue of malignant neoplasms from other organs cannot be excluded .
Thyroid cancer develops from follicular and parafollicular cells, as well as from non-thyroid cells (not producing hormonally active substances of the cells of the environment). According to histological features, thyroid cancer is divided into several types:
- papillary cancer – makes up almost 76% of all cancerous pathologies of the thyroid gland;
- follicular cancer – diagnosed in 14% of cases of thyroid cancer;
- medullary cancer ;
- poorly differentiated cancer ;
- anaplastic cancer process .
The problem of treating thyroid cancer is a priority area of modern surgery, endocrinology, and oncology. Nodules on the thyroid gland, the treatment of which is carried out taking into account the nature of the pathological process in the organ, in most cases are removed surgically. It is important to remember that in a malignant neoplastic process, surgical removal of the neoplasm at an early stage prevents the formation of metastases.
In cases where the results of the examination fail to establish an accurate diagnosis, surgical intervention followed by histological examination remains the preferred method of diagnosis and treatment even today. Cytological analysis allows you to get an idea of the cellular composition of punctate , while histology allows you to accurately determine the structure of the tumor and its nature.
CAUSES OF THYROID CANCER
Numerous studies, experiments and observations do not make it possible, even with the modern development of medicine, to establish the exact cause of thyroid cancer , while tremendous success has been achieved in its treatment. Cancer is often considered as a consequence of hormonal imbalance against the background of organ hypofunction, which develops with a lack of iodine, with incorrect treatment with antithyroid drugs. There is a theory suggesting a connection between the disease and exposure to ionizing radiation or pathological processes (changes) in the functioning of the pituitary gland, which leads to hyperplasia of the thyroid tissue. Often cancer of this organ develops against the background of goiter, with inflammatory lesions of the thyroid gland and its adenomas. It is worth noting genetic factors that also include in the pathogenesis of thyroid cancers.
The following risk factors for the development of thyroid cancer are distinguished:
- chronic inflammatory and neoplastic processes of the genitals and mammary glands in women;
- the presence of adenoma, goiter, living in an unfavorable endemic area;
- lack of some trace elements, especially iodine, cobalt and copper;
- general exposure to radiation, especially in the neck;
- dysfunction of other endocrine glands.
FEATURES AND TREATMENT OF FOLLICULAR THYROID CANCER
Most often, the disease of x is manifested by the formation of a single node, which at the initial stage of the disease remains painless and is regarded as a manifestation of an adenoma or nodular goiter. Some patients develop a diffuse enlargement of the thyroid gland, which is mistakenly regarded as a manifestation of thyroiditis, but this is how papillary thyroid cancer proceeds, the treatment of which requires surgical resection and the appointment of radioactive iodine therapy.
In the anaplastic variant of thyroid cancer , in which the organ enlarges and becomes sharply painful, signs of compression of neighboring organs appear in the early stages. At the same time, an increase in temperature is noted, general symptoms of intoxication occur (fatigue, irritability, slight weight loss.) Regional lymph nodes increase in size at an early stage of the disease. In most cases, the functional state of the thyroid gland does not change; at the later stages of the development of the cancer process, symptoms of hypothyroidism appear. The clinical manifestations of cancer are associated with metastasis to the lungs, bones, trachea, or esophagus. With this variant of the development of thyroid cancer, treatment involves the removal of the organ and the mandatory appointment of radioactive iodine therapy – it is effective even in the event of distant metastases.
Follicular thyroid cancer is diagnosed in most cases in adult patients, although it rarely occurs in children. Follicular carcinoma is characterized by slow growth and late metastasis. In the clinical picture, the formation of a node in the neck and an increase in lymph nodes are distinguished. Patients have difficulty swallowing and breathing. They have neck pain, voice changes. It should be noted that follicular cancer in the initial stages of development may not appear.
In cases where follicular thyroid cancer is diagnosed, the treatment and tactics of its conduct are still the subject of discussion. Some experts claim that the removal of cancer cells with a small tumor size gives a 100% guarantee of a cure, while others believe that this type of cancer can be cured only with complete removal of the thyroid gland and all enlarged lymph nodes.
Along with surgical treatment, radioactive iodine therapy is performed . The method of treatment is determined in accordance with the stage of the cancer process and taking into account the number of affected cells.