Thyroid cancer can be cured if detected early and treated properly

This is an automatically translated article.

Thyroid cancer has a better prognosis than many other cancers because well-differentiated cells (follicular, papillary, with low malignancy) account for 90% of all thyroid cancers. . Therefore, thyroid cancer can be cured if detected early and treated properly.

1. What is thyroid cancer?

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located in the front of the neck. The main job of the thyroid gland is to secrete thyroid hormone into the bloodstream to transport to each tissue in the body, help the body use energy, keep warm, allow the heart, brain, organs to work stably.
Thyroid cancer forms when cells in the thyroid gland change and divide too quickly without the body's control. When they reach a sufficient threshold, they form a tumor that has the ability to invade surrounding tissues and metastasize to distant organs in the body.

2. How to diagnose thyroid cancer

Through disease symptoms: early stage thyroid cancer develops quite silently, with almost no characteristic symptoms. However, some patients may find thyroid cancer if they see a lump in their neck when they look in the mirror, wear necklaces, button up their collars, or have neck, jaw, or ear pain. To the stage after the thyroid nodule is large enough, it can press on the trachea or esophagus, causing difficulty in swallowing, difficulty breathing, hoarseness or lymphadenopathy in the neck,... physical examination. A blood test is taken to measure the level of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). Fine needle aspiration cytology to confirm the diagnosis.

3. Thyroid Cancer Treatment

When the results of aspiration cytology conclude that thyroid cancer or cancer is suspected, the patient will be scheduled for treatment. Treatment is often a combination of multiple modalities to obtain the best results. The modalities are:
Surgery: total thyroidectomy and cervical lymphadenectomy. In early-stage thyroid cancer, surgery may only be needed. In case of cervical lymph node metastasis, the doctor may prescribe adjuvant treatment with I-131 after surgery. Patients who have had a total thyroidectomy require oral thyroid hormone (levothyroxine) for the rest of their lives. Radiotherapy with radioactive iodine: The radioactive isotope iodine 131 is injected into the patient's body to destroy any remaining cancer cells or treat advanced thyroid cancer. Radiation therapy helps to slow the growth and spread of malignant cells. Note: Depending on tumor size, histologic type, cervical lymph node metastasis, ... that surgical method, radioactive iodine or post-operative endocrine therapy is indicated in each patient. will be different. After surgery and radioactive iodine treatment, the patient has a regimen of endocrine therapy and close, long-term monitoring to reduce the possibility of thyroid cancer recurrence and return the patient to a normal life. normally healthy. At the same time, patients are also closely monitored periodically (neck ultrasound and blood tests) to prevent cancer recurrence.
>> See also: Early detection and diagnosis of thyroid cancer – Article written by Specialist Doctor I Nguyen Thi Minh Thuyen - Pathologist, Laboratory Department - Vinmec Da International General Hospital Nang

4. Is thyroid cancer curable?

Thyroid cancer is curable if detected early and treated properly. Prognosis is better than many other cancers because well-differentiated cells (follicular, papillary, with low malignancy) account for 90% of thyroid cancers. In particular, patients under 45 years of age, detected when the tumor is small and has not metastasized, will have a higher chance of cure (up to 90-97%).
For patients with thyroid cancer detected when the tumor size is only 2mm, only one side of the thyroid lobe with cancer needs to be removed, the other lobe still works normally. These patients do not need to take thyroid hormone supplements. For patients with both thyroid lobes removed, in addition to taking thyroid hormone supplements for life, health and activities are hardly affected.
How long does thyroid cancer live? Generally, the survival time of thyroid cancer patients within 10 years is close to 100%. The mortality rate from the disease is very low. Therefore, detecting thyroid cancer at an early stage plays an extremely important role in increasing the cure rate and limiting the complications of treatment methods. Therefore, when there are abnormal symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, palpating a tumor in the neck area, etc., patients should soon go to reputable medical facilities for timely examination and diagnosis. time.
When diagnosed with thyroid cancer, patients need to coordinate with doctors for effective treatment and close monitoring to prevent recurrence. In addition, in daily activities, patients also need to pay attention to eat foods rich in vitamins and minerals and have a reasonable lifestyle, rest and exercise regime.

In April & May 2021, when there is a need for thyroid cancer examination and treatment at Vinmec Times City International General Hospital, customers will enjoy double incentives:
- Free specialist examination and 50% off Thyroid Cancer Screening Packages such as:
+ Standard Thyroid Screening Package
+ Advanced Thyroid Screening Package
+ Special Thyroid Screening Package
- 50% off cost for customers with only post-examination treatment. The program is limited to the corresponding technique of each hospital and to customers who perform this treatment technique for the first time at Vinmec.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.