Types of thyroid cancer

It is believed that cancer (malignant tumor of the covering tissue - epithelial) is more than 90% of all malignant thyroid tumors in other tissues of the body of malignant tumors are rare. But among all human cancers the proportion of thyroid cancer is not more than 2%.

Causes and types

Thyroid cancer is more common in women aged 40-60 years. Often it develops in the background of a long-term, usually nodular goiter, but may develop into cancer and iron unchanged. Very rarely cancer occurs against a background of diffuse toxic goiter. On the occurrence of cancer affects the radiation exposure - this fact was particularly evident after the Chernobyl disaster, when there were many of thyroid cancer in children Thyroid cancer in children - a rare disease For which the disease is generally not characteristic. This is because the thyroid gland of children is much more sensitive to radiation than adults.

There are differentiated (its cells are similar to normal tissue, cancer develops slowly and more favorable prognosis) and undifferentiated (tumor composed of immature cells that grow very quickly and aggressively) thyroid cancer. An intermediate position between takes medullary cancer. Furthermore, in the thyroid gland The thyroid gland - is responsible for your hormones   there are malignant tumors of metaplazirovannogo (metaplasia - the substitution of one type of epithelium by another) epithelium - squamous cell carcinoma.

Differentiated thyroid cancer

The group consists of differentiated tumor papillary and follicular cancer. Papillary cancer - the most common form of thyroid cancer. It is typically a node (it might be both very small and large) of round or irregular shape. A characteristic feature of cancer is patchy deposition of calcium salts in the nodes (acervulus). Microscopic examination of the tumor can be seen papillary structures that form the basis of the tumor. This cancer is able to grow into the thyroid capsule surrounding tissue and nearby lymph nodes. Tumor development is slow and is not accompanied by endocrine disorders.

Follicular cancer is less common. He is a well-delimited unit sizes. The cells were follicular cancer may resemble normal cells of the thyroid gland, so it is sometimes difficult to distinguish from a benign tumor. Most tumors of the thyroid gland secretes hormones Thyroid hormones: mechanism of action and physiological effects . This cancer develops slowly, it is characterized by metastases to the lungs.

Undifferentiated thyroid cancer

Undifferentiated thyroid cancer is highly malignant. It ranges from 5 to 20% of all thyroid cancers. Swelling is a somewhat converging interconnected nodes that are difficult to separate by palpation of the prostate tissue. The tumor is dense, usually captures the entire thyroid gland and secretes hormones. The tumor cells may have a different form and grow by continuous fields.

Characterized by rapid growth of the tumor and the same prompt multiple metastasis. In addition, the cancer grows into the soft tissues of the neck, including blood vessels, nerves and the surrounding organs (trachea, esophagus). By the death of the patient may cause the disintegration of the tumor, which is accompanied by heavy bleeding or suffocation due to the overlapping of the airway.

Medullary thyroid cancer

Medullary cancer develops from the cells of the thyroid gland okolofollikulyarnyh. It is about 3% of all cancers of the thyroid gland and is often associated with genetic diseases. Prior to the development of cancer in the thyroid gland often grow okolofollikulyarnye cells. A tumor is an assembly without distinct boundaries of different sizes, which often grows into the surrounding tissue. Microscopically, the tumor cells are small, similar in structure to okolofollikulyarnymi cells.

Medullary cancer secretes the hormone calcitonin, which causes a characteristic feature of the disease - diarrhea. The tumor is prolonged, often metastasizes to the nearby lymph nodes.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid gland

This type of cancer is up to 3% of all malignant tumors of the thyroid gland. It happens most often secondary, that is spread from other organs. Squamous cell carcinoma can take the entire thyroid gland and spread to the surrounding tissues. During this difficult cancer, with early multiple metastases Metastasis - danger everywhere .

Diagnosis of thyroid cancer is put on the basis of the doctor's examination, ultrasound data, X-ray, radioisotope studies, and laboratory studies of tissue taken from the thyroid gland using needle biopsy.

Treatment of thyroid cancer combined, in which the leading role played by surgery - removal of the tumor with complete or partial removal of the thyroid gland. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are used as complementary therapies or alone in advanced cases, when an operation is impossible.

Thyroid cancer may be different, but most of its species it is treatable in the early stages of the disease.

Treatment of pituitary adenoma

Pituitary gland - the main endocrine gland in our body, so any changes in it immediately affect the hormonal background of a person. The pituitary gland controls the functions of the thyroid, gonads and adrenal glands secretes hormones that have a direct impact on the fabric. This should always be remembered and any changes in the body go to the doctor - the sooner the better. Pituitary - endocrine gland located in the brain and affects the activity of other glands.

The pituitary gland is composed of two parts: the front (anterior pituitary), where the products of their own pituitary hormones (growth hormones, hormones that stimulate the production of thyroid hormones Thyroid hormones: mechanism of action and physiological effects , Sex hormones, hormones that promote the secretion of breast milk, breast cancer and corticosteroids by the adrenal cortex), and back (neurohypophysis), where there are two hormones produced by the hypothalamus - oxytocin and vasopressin.

Anatomically and functionally connected to the hypothalamus pituitary - part of the brain responsible for regulating the hormonal and autonomic nervous system. Pituitary and hypothalamus constitute a single neuroendocrine system that provides constant internal environment.

In adenomas producing growth hormone and stimulate the production of breast milk, the preparation helps bromocriptine, which inhibits the production of these hormones.

For small adenomas are also used methods of radiation exposure at the tumor: it is irradiated in order to prevent further growth. There is also a radiosurgical treatment method in which a radioactive substance administered to the tumor destroying it. Surgical removal of the tumor is used in case of complications (eg, from the view).

Pituitary adenoma is best to treat the early stages of the disease, so it is worth to notice the changes in his body and in a timely manner to seek help.

Selection method of treating pituitary adenoma depends on several factors, including:

• Adenoma is functional or not;
• The size of adenomas;
• The impact of the tumor to adjacent structures;
• Age and general health of the patient.

Medication

Hormonally active pituitary adenomas, in some cases, amenable to medical treatment. So, with the help of medication and treated prolactinoma adenoma leading to the development of the disease Cushing's and acromegaly.

Drug treatment is very important for patients with pituitary insufficiency, especially if they have an operation. Violation of cortisol, or thyroid hormones The thyroid gland - is responsible for your hormones   in some cases may be fatal - especially if the patient has not been treated before surgery.

Treatment of surgical techniques

When the need for surgery in the treatment of pituitary adenomas is considered optimal operation, which is carried out through the nose - is a minimally invasive technique called endoscopic endonasal surgery. This technology allows you to remove the tumor, while significantly reducing the risk of complications and reduced length of stay in hospital. To remove a very large pituitary adenomas may be necessary to open the cranium, or craniotomy.

Radiation

Some pituitary adenomas can not be removed by surgery, and not amenable to medical treatment. To control the growth of these tumors can be used in radiation therapy Radiotherapy in cancer treatment: irradiation aid . One of the most effective methods of this type - stereotactic radiosurgery. With this technology it is possible to influence of radiation on the tumor so that the adjacent brain structures will receive a small radiation dose. Thus healthy parts of the brain except the pituitary normally remain intact. Complication of stereotactic radiosurgery can be a pituitary insufficiency - it usually develops after a few years after treatment. If this happens, the patient will require hormone replacement therapy Hormone therapy - is it possible to fool nature? .