The cause of thyroid cancer are mutations in cells through which the cells proliferate abnormally and form a tumor. It is not known why such mutations occur.

Symptoms

Typically, during the early stages of cancer, thyroid cancer causes no symptoms. In the later stages may arise following:

• The seal on the neck, which can be felt through the skin;
• Change voice - often, hoarseness;
• Difficulty swallowing;
• Pain in the neck and / or throat;
• Inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck.

Types of thyroid cancer

Type of thyroid cancer determines treatment options and prognosis. There are such kinds of thyroid cancer:

• Papillary thyroid cancer - the most common type of thyroid cancer, accounting for about 80% of all cases of the disease.
• Follicular thyroid cancer.
• Medullary thyroid cancer may be associated with hereditary disorders, but most cases develop for other reasons.
• Anaplastic thyroid cancer - a rare, aggressive cancer that is difficult to treat.
• Lymphoma of the thyroid gland begins to develop in the immune cells in the thyroid gland The thyroid gland - is responsible for your hormones . This type of cancer is very rare.

Risk factors

Factors that may contribute to the development of thyroid cancer:

• Exposure to radiation, such as radiotherapy Radiotherapy in cancer treatment: irradiation aid , Testing of certain types of weapons, and so on.
• Goiter in a personal or family history. Goiter - a benign enlargement of the thyroid gland Increase in thyroid - that underlies the disease . The presence of this disorder in the personal or family history increases the risk of thyroid cancer.

Complications

A major complication of cancer of the thyroid gland is its relapse - it is possible even after treatment, and despite the removal of the thyroid gland. This can happen even if a very small amount of cancer cells to spread beyond the thyroid before it will be removed. Sometimes relapse occurs decades after treatment. Thyroid cancer can begin to grow again in the lymph nodes in the neck, a small fragment of the thyroid gland, which remained after the operation, or in other parts of the body - most commonly in the lungs or bones.

Diagnostics

For the diagnosis of thyroid cancer following methods:

• Medical examination - part of the tumor can be felt with your fingers, but this is not enough for the diagnosis;
• Analysis of blood, including, for determining the level of thyroid hormones Thyroid hormones: mechanism of action and physiological effects ;
• Medical imaging tests, by which determine the nature of tumors and look for enlarged lymph nodes;
• Biopsy - sampling thyroid tissue for further analysis.

Treatment

The choice of treatment for thyroid cancer depends on the type and stage, as well as on the overall health of the patient.

In most cases, patients prescribed surgery, in which the thyroid gland is removed completely or almost completely.

Sometimes in the course of the same transaction are removed swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

With operations involve the risk of major bleeding, infection and nerve damage associated with the vocal cords.

After surgery, the patient throughout life you must take the drug levothyroxine. It performs two tasks: to replace the thyroid hormones, which are nothing more than produce and suppresses pituitary thyroid-stimulating hormone. High levels of this hormone can cause proliferation of the remaining cancer cells. For several months, the patient will need to regularly give blood for analysis, while the doctor did not select the appropriate dose of levothyroxine.

Do not panic, but do not ignore the symptoms can not be. How to reduce the risk of cancer? If a woman finds a symptoms that may indicate cancer, she should see a doctor. For example, if you hit upon during the self-seal in the chest, be sure to go to the doctor, even if you have recently made a mammogram.

Often, women do not go to the doctor because they are afraid or because they underestimate the severity of the symptoms. But we should remember that the symptoms may indicate other problems, this is not necessarily a malignant tumor. If symptoms persist, and even worse, that is at least two weeks in a row you wake up every morning and they bother you, does it cost to go to the doctor.

What changes are the reason for the visit to the doctor?

Changes in the breast

If you feel the seal, do not ignore it, even if the mammogram shows that everything is in order. If the nipple starts to peel off, this may indicate Paget's disease, which in 95% of cases associated with breast cancer. Any milky or bloody discharge from the nipple is also an occasion to test.

The appearance of dimples on the skin of the breast, especially similar to orange peel, can be a sign of inflammatory breast cancer, a rare, aggressive form of cancer generally, which is also characterized by swelling, redness and fever breasts.

If you go to the doctor with symptoms, he will examine you, ask about medical history, appoint a mammogram or ultrasound scan and possibly a biopsy.

Irregular bleeding

After menopause (defined as 12 months without menstruation) any bleeding - a dangerous sign. Whether it's bleeding, subtle spin-off or large clusters - all these are signs of abnormalities and cause for immediate treatment to the doctor. Such bleeding can signal problems as benign and cancer of the endometrium or cervix.

Any other abnormal bleeding - such as spotting Spotting - it is important to rule out pathology   mid-cycle or unusually heavy bleeding during menstruation - it is also a cause for concern. In the period before menopause unexpected bleeding often blamed on hormonal imbalances, but the cause may be more serious. The doctor at the reception will assign an ultrasound examination and possibly a biopsy.

Rectal bleeding

Rectal cancer - the third most common among women. One of its features may be rectal bleeding, which is often attributed to hemorrhoids. If you notice a red or dark blood in the stool, should consult a doctor.

The doctor will examine the reception and appoint a colonoscopy, especially if you are over fifty years old.

Selections

Vaginal discharge, has an unpleasant odor may be a sign of cervical cancer. Selections may include blood and occur between periods or after menopause. In this case, it is not necessary to self-medicate and consult a doctor.

The doctor will do an exam to find out whether the allocation associated with infection or more dangerous problems.

Abdominal distention

Ovarian cancer is quite common. He has long remained "silent killer", but doctors are struggling with it. In ovarian cancer there are noticeable symptoms. Here are the most frequent - bloating, a feeling of eating (even if you do not eat a lot), the change in frequency of bowel movements or urination, or back pain in the lower abdomen.

One or two of these symptoms are not uncommon, especially after the feast. But if two or more of these symptoms occur daily for more than two weeks should see a doctor.

In this case, you will need to undergo a pelvic examination Gynecological examination: an important component of women's health , Ultrasound examination and possibly a blood test.

A sudden loss or weight gain

If you have recovered 2 kg, that is no reason for concern. But if weight gain continues for several months, and usually your weight is stable and you do not overeat - it is cause for concern. Perhaps weight gain explained by the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen because of ovarian cancer. In general, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

The sudden weight loss of 5 kg or more may be an indication of malignant disease, such as cancer of the pancreas, stomach, esophagus or lung cancer. However, weight loss can also be associated with hyperthyroidism. Therefore, the doctor will most likely prescribe a first examination of this gland.

Persistent cough

If you have a persistent cough - not passing for two or three weeks and is not associated with allergy or upper respiratory tract infection - or coughing up blood, be sure to go to the doctor. If the cough associated with smoking (including passive), too, is to see a specialist. Your doctor will most likely refer you to the chest x-ray and possibly a CT scan.

Changes in the lymph nodes

If you feel hard lymph nodes in the neck or armpit, consult a doctor. Swollen, hard lymph nodes usually indicate an infection. But it can also be an indication of lymphoma or lung cancer, breast, head, or neck.

The doctor will examine you and may do a biopsy.

Fatigue

Although fatigue is difficult to measure, if you constantly feel tired, and she does not go after the rest, it can be a symptom. Leukemia, cancer of the colon or stomach may cause constant fatigue. Fatigue can be a serious problem.

The doctor will examine you and may direct the blood to determine the state of the thyroid gland.

Skin changes

Check the condition of the skin all over the body and in the event of any disturbing symptoms, consult a doctor.

Do not pass sores in the mouth, especially if you drink alcohol or smoke, may be a sign of oral cancer.

Check the condition of the skin in the genital area. Long pass damage may be a sign of melanoma or other cancers.

The doctor will examine you and may do a biopsy.

Outcome

Watch for these symptoms, but do not indulge in panic. Do not be afraid, if you notice something unusual, just contact a doctor. Most likely, the cause of the symptoms is not cancer. But cancer is curable if detected at an early stage it. Time to notice the dangerous disease, you can get treatment and live a full life again.

Three ways to reduce cancer risk

• Know everything about himself. Find out what diseases suffer or have suffered your relatives. So you can find out what you're predisposed. By the way, the probability of inheriting breast cancer or ovarian cancer on the paternal side is the same as for the parent.
• Watch for body mass index. Check BMI and make sure that it does not exceed 25 - a limit beyond which begins overweight. Regular exercise Myths about exercise: do not believe   reduces estrogen levels Estrogen - the key to bone health   in the blood, thereby reducing the risk of breast cancer.
• Undergo regular inspection. If you are over 50, do a colonoscopy. After 21 years pass regular Pap test, and after forty should make an annual mammogram.