Thyroid Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatments

Thyroid cancer arises from alterations in the DNA of thyroid cells. In its early stages, it spreads without exhibiting any noticeable symptoms. However, as the cancer progresses, one might notice symptoms like a lump in the neck, difficulty swallowing, or increased hoarseness in their voice. Here, the best cancer doctor in Kolkata has discussed the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer in detail.

Diagnosis:

The following tests and procedures are performed to diagnose thyroid cancer:

Blood tests: These tests assess the levels of Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) and other hormones originating from the thyroid gland and provide valuable insights into the thyroid's health.Ultrasound imaging: Doctors analyze how a thyroid nodule appears in an ultrasound image to determine its probability of being cancerous. Signs like calcium deposits or an irregular border indicate that it's likely to be malignant.Extracting a sample of thyroid tissue: At the time of fine-needle aspiration biopsy, doctors use a long, thin needle to take a small sample of cells from the thyroid nodule. The sample collected is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Treatment:

Surgery: The kind of surgery to be conducted depends upon the size and type of cancer and how far it has spread. We have discussed below three surgical approaches used to treat thyroid cancer.Thyroidectomy: In this procedure, almost the entire thyroid gland is removed. To mitigate the risk of harming the parathyroid glands in the process, surgeons usually leave small margins of thyroid tissue surrounding these glands during surgery.Thyroid lobectomy: Surgeons eliminate one-half of the thyroid gland. The best cancer surgeon in Kolkata recommends this approach in cases where there is a slowly developing thyroid cancer in a specific area of the thyroid.Lymph node dissection: Surgeons remove cancerous lymph nodes in the neck in this procedure. However, before the surgery is done, doctors conduct an ultrasound examination of the neck to spot cancer cells in the lymph nodes. Sometimes, they remove some of the lymph nodes in the neck for testing.Chemotherapy: This treatment includes the use of medicines to stop cancer cells from growing. There are various drugs, and they can be used on their own or together. Some come in pills, but most are given through a vein. Chemotherapy can be useful in managing rapidly growing thyroid cancers like anaplastic thyroid cancer.Radioactive iodine: This treatment method employs a radioactive form of iodine to eliminate any remaining thyroid cancer cells following surgery. It is commonly employed for treating differentiated thyroid cancers that pose a high risk of spreading to other body parts.Injecting alcohol into cancer cells: Alcohol ablation, also known as ethanol ablation, is a procedure where alcohol is injected into small regions of the thyroid gland using a needle guided by ultrasound imaging. This precise injection causes the thyroid cancer cells to shrink.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, consult the best cancer doctor in Kolkata for personalized guidance to address the health problems and come up with an effective treatment plan.