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  • Thyroid Cancer

    Thyroid cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the cells of the thyroid gland, which is located in the front of the neck, just below the Adam's apple. The thyroid gland plays a crucial role in producing hormones that regulate various bodily functions, including metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.

     

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    <p>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.healthchoicesfirst.com/practitioner-type/endocrinologist">Endocrinologist</a>, discusses thyroid cancer recovery and prognosis.</p>

     Endocrinologist, discusses thyroid cancer recovery and prognosis.

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    <p><a href="https://www.healthchoicesfirst.com/practitioner-type/urologist">Urologist</a> discusses testicular cancer.</p>

    Urologist discusses testicular cancer.

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    <p><a href="https://www.healthchoicesfirst.com/practitioner/dr-peter-black-oncologist-vancouver-bc">Dr. Peter Black</a>, BSc, MD, FRCSC, FACS, <a href="https://prostatecancer-now.com/local/local-urologist">Urologist&nbsp;</a>discusses Common Symptoms of Testis Cancer</p>

    Dr. Peter Black, BSc, MD, FRCSC, FACS, Urologist discusses Common Symptoms of Testis Cancer

  • Thyroid Cancer Recovery and Prognosis

    The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck, just above the collarbone. It plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions through the production and release of hormones.

                          

    The two main hormones produced by the thyroid gland are thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones are responsible for controlling the body's metabolism, which is the process by which cells convert food into energy. They help regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, influencing how quickly or slowly these substances are broken down and utilized by the body.

    In addition to metabolism, thyroid hormones also have an impact on other hormone systems in the body. They interact with hormones produced by the pituitary gland, which is located at the base of the brain, and the hypothalamus, a region of the brain that regulates the release of hormones. This interaction helps maintain a delicate balance of hormones throughout the body.

    The thyroid gland is controlled by the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland through a feedback loop. When the levels of thyroid hormones in the blood are low, the hypothalamus releases thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), which signals the pituitary gland to release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH then stimulates the thyroid gland to produce and release more thyroid hormones.

    Overall, the thyroid gland and its hormones play a crucial role in maintaining the body's metabolism, energy production, growth, and development. Imbalances in thyroid hormone levels can lead to various health conditions, including hypothyroidism (insufficient hormone production) and hyperthyroidism (excessive hormone production). Regular check-ups with a healthcare professional can help monitor thyroid function and ensure its proper functioning.                          

    It’s a very important structure you can’t live without. It will sometimes overproduce hormone. It’ll under-produce hormone, or the third way it presents as a problem is if it forms a nodule, which sometimes can be a cancer. Now it’s always frightening when someone detects a lump in their neck, and that’s usually the presentation of thyroid cancer. And if someone’s shaving or looks in the mirror, sees the lump and feels it, and first thought is, is it cancer?

    There’s a little trick that we use to try and tell whether a lump in someone’s neck is the thyroid or another structure in the neck. And the trick is to swallow when your finger’s on it.The thyroid is very far at the back, right against the cartilage of your trachea. So it moves up and down when you swallow. So if you have a lump, you put your finger on it, you swallow, it moves up and down, it’s either part of the thyroid or it originated from the thyroid, as opposed to a lymph node or another structure in the neck.

    Thyroid nodules or lumps in the neck are very, very common. Based on decade of life, it’s about 10 percent per decade of the public will have a lump or a nodule in their thyroid, if you do an ultrasound of people. So by the age of 50, it’s roughly half of the population is going to have a nodule in their neck. And you were to use your fingers and just examine, it’s about one-tenth of that. So it would be around five percent. So very, very common.

    Fortunately, the majority of thyroid nodules are not cancerous. It’s a minority. Depending on the particular circumstances of the patient, whether there’s a family history or other risk factors, it’ll be around 5, 10, 15 percent chance that a nodule is actually cancerous.  Often seeing a local family physician or a physiotherapist in conjunction with a registered dietitian and athletic therapist is a great option to take control of this condition. Smart Food Now and exercise is also optominal for overall health. 

    When cancer develops in the thyroid gland, the cells begin to grow and divide uncontrollably, forming a tumor. Thyroid cancer can vary in its behavior and characteristics, and there are several different types, including:

    1. Papillary thyroid carcinoma: This is the most common type, accounting for about 80% of thyroid cancers. It typically grows slowly and has a good prognosis.

    2. Follicular thyroid carcinoma: This type accounts for about 10-15% of thyroid cancers. It may spread to other parts of the body, particularly the bones and lungs.

    3. Medullary thyroid carcinoma: It is less common, accounting for approximately 4% of cases. It originates from the C cells of the thyroid gland and may be associated with a genetic mutation.

    4. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: This is a rare and aggressive form of thyroid cancer. It tends to grow and spread quickly, making it more difficult to treat successfully.

    Thyroid cancer can sometimes be detected through self-examination or by a healthcare professional during routine check-ups. Common symptoms include a lump or swelling in the neck, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, persistent cough, and unexplained weight loss.

    Treatment options for thyroid cancer depend on the type, stage, and individual factors. They may include surgery to remove the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy), radioactive iodine therapy, external beam radiation therapy, and in some cases, targeted drug therapy. The prognosis for thyroid cancer is generally favorable, with a high survival rate, especially for papillary and follicular carcinomas when detected early and appropriately treated.

    If you suspect you may have thyroid cancer or have concerns about your thyroid health, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment.

    If you have questions about thyroid cancer, or you think you have thyroid cancer, discuss this concern with your primary medical doctor.

    The Endocrinologists on this site are in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and  Canadian Diabetes Association and the Canadian Medical Association

    Key Words: Blood Glucose Monitor, Novel Diabetes Medications, Diabetes, Obesity, Protecting Kidneys Diabetes, Type 1 Diabetes, Hypoglycemia, Diabetes Nutrition, Obesity and Diabetes, Lipohypertrophy

     

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