All you need to know about Thyroid Cancer

The cells of thyroid form a gland in the shape of a butterfly. This gland is present at the base of the neck or just below the Adam’s apple. It is solely responsible for the production of hormones and controls our metabolism. It also regulates our heart rate, blood pressure, temperature of the body and weight of a person. The thyroid cancer usually occurs in the cells of thyroid i.e. in the base of our neck.

Almost 75% of our population has thyroid nodules but they are generally benign, and thus not risky. However, the overall risk of developing a major thyroid nodule is highly marked in adults than the younger population. Thyroid cancer is also found more common in females than males. Exposure to high levels of radiation can also create a risk factor for the occurrence of thyroid cancer. In case, you are also facing such issues, contact Dr. Vikas Goswami.

Types of thyroid cancer:

1) Papillary thyroid cancer also called papillary thyroid carcinoma is considered the most common type of thyroid cancer. It generally arises from the follicular cells that produce and store thyroid. It occurs mostly due to radiation exposure and is more common in people between the ages of 30 to 50 years old. The prognosis is directly related to the age factor.

2) Follicular thyroid cancer accounts for 10% of all thyroid cancer and is more common among the female population especially above the age of 50. It arises from the follicular cells of the thyroid. It also has a further subtype called Hurthle cell cancer, which is a rare and its more aggressive form.

3) Medullary thyroid cancer usually begins in the C cells of thyroid cells which produce calcitonin hormone. If there are elevated levels of calcitonin, this may indicate medullary cancer at a very early stage. Due to genetic syndromes too, the risk of medullary thyroid cancer increases but this is an uncommon genetic link.

4) Anaplastic thyroid cancer is a very rare and a rapidly growing cancer which is very difficult to treat. It typically occurs in people above the age of 60 years and older. It is the least common and accounts for only 1% of the thyroid cancers. It arises within a more differentiated cancer or sometimes due to goitre. It takes the cancer to the lymph nodes in the neck, making it more difficult to cure.

5) Thyroid Lymphoma is an unusual form of thyroid cancer. It begins in the immune system cells of the thyroid gland and grows rapidly. It typically is found in older adults.

Causes of thyroid cancer:

There is generally no such early sign or symptom of thyroid cancer. But these are few that may occur:

1) A lump on the skin of your neck: It is considered to be the most common symptom of thyroid cancer. It is also called neck mass. A benign neck lump is non-cancerous, but a big one or the one growing too fast can be a sign of thyroid cancer. Due to cancer, thyroid nodules swell up leading to such lumps in the neck.

2) Change in voice: Another symptom that may arise due to thyroid cancer is the change in voice or specifically the increase in hoarseness in voice. Hypothyroidism is one cause behind the hoarseness in voice leading to thyroid cancer, if it doesn’t get better.

3) Difficulty in swallowing: During the thyroid cancer, thyroid nodules grow larger or the thyroid gland swells up, making it tough for a person to swallow food.

4) Pain in the neck and throat: It is an uncommon symptom, but can happen in an exceptional case when there are inflammatory conditions of thyroid or there are chances of medullary thyroid cancer.

5) Swollen lymph nodes in neck: The thyroid nodules grow up on the surface or in the thyroid gland and excessive swelling may point towards growing thyroid cancer.

6) Cough: Not a general cough, but an excessive cough not due to cold which doesn’t heal can also be a symptom of thyroid cancer. It may occur due to swollen thyroid nodules.

7) Trouble in breathing: Due to the swollen thyroid nodules or goitre, there is no space near/around the thyroid gland which makes it difficult not just to swallow but also in breathing.

Are you also facing certain causes of Thyroid Cancer? Well, contact the best cancer hospital in Noida to treat your thyroid cancer. 

What are the symptoms of head and neck cancer?

The head and neck cancers include cancers in the larynx, throat, lips, mouth and some other rare types such as the cancer of the sinuses (air spaces in the bones of the face), the nose or middle ear, or salivary glands. Mouth cancer can also develop on the lip area, the front two-thirds of the tongue, or anywhere inside the mouth. Throat cancer can also develop in different areas such as the larynx and pharynx, which is divided into three types such as nasopharynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx. Other examples include diseases of the thyroid, oesophagus (gullet) or windpipe (trachea), near to the throat.

Tobacco use, heavy alcohol use, infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), radiation exposure, specific workplace exposures, and Epstein-Barr virus increases the risk of head and neck cancers. It is observed that more than 75% of the head and neck cancers are caused by alcohol or tobacco use.

Usually, head and neck cancers start in the mouth, nose and throat cells, and these are called squamous cell cancers. There are a small number of head and neck cancers that develop from other types of cells. The diagnosis is confirmed by tissue biopsy, and medical imaging and blood tests may determine the degree of spread. The usual age of diagnosis is between 55 and 65 years old.

Although head and neck cancer is often curable if it is diagnosed early; however, if it is diagnosed late, outcomes are typically reduced. The treatment may include a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy.

Below are a few symptoms of head and neck cancer -

1. Pain

Head and Neck cancer can be detected by torture in various places. There would be discomfort in the mouth; sore throat or a persistent earache; pain in the cheek, behind the nose, upper teeth or any other part of the face; or a constant headache.

2. Swelling

Head and neck cancer can cause swelling in many places such as in the front of the ear, under the jawbone, in the cheek area, around the eyes or in the upper neck caused by enlarged lymph nodes. There could also be lumps or ulcers in the mouth that is extremely difficult to heal.

3. Breathing and Speaking Problems

Nasal obstruction or persistent congestion are also symptoms of head and neck cancer. It is accompanied by the bad breath that is unexplained by hygiene and louder breathing patterns. There would also be difficulty in speaking, owing to the other symptoms such as numbness of the cheek, upper lip, upper teeth; drooping on one side of the face or difficulty opening the mouth; swollen neck which affects the larynx, the voice box; loose teeth or dentures that do not fit well.

4. Bleeding

Frequent bleeding is also prevalent in head and neck cancer. There would be bleeding in the mouth and recurrent nosebleeds. Red or white patches may also develop in the mouth region.

5. Disturbed Eating

Head and neck cancer causes swelling in many places, including the neck region. Due to this, the patient would face difficulty in chewing and swallowing. Swelling in the neck leads to painful swallowing, while those in the cheek area lead to painful chewing. Another symptom is loose teeth or dentures, which also adds to the trouble in chewing. This is accompanied by drooping on one side of the face or difficulty opening the mouth and numbness in many places such as the cheek region, upper lip, upper teeth or bottom of the nose.

6. Lump in the Neck

If cancer spreads from where it originated, the first place it usually covers too are the lymph nodes in the neck. They are bean-shaped glands that are part of the lymphatic system. If cancer begins to grow in the lymph nodes, it might show up as painless lumps in the neck. Enlarged lumps may occur in the neck due to other reasons as well, but if it does not heal within 2-3 weeks, consultation must be done.

7. Unexplained Weight-loss

Difficulty in eating leads to reduced appetite, which leads to noticeable weight-loss. Apart from this, cancer causes unexplained changes in the body, which would lead to a sudden drop in the weight of the patient.

Certain risk factors come with head and neck cancer, and it is generally said that avoiding those risk factors would help in decreasing the risk of head and neck cancer. These risk factors include smoking, being overweight, not getting enough exercise, and so on. Therefore, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly might lower the risk of receiving head and neck cancer.

If you are still looking for the treatment, visit the best oncologist in Delhi, now.

BEST ONCOLOGISTS IN DELHI: This Will Help You Decide!

There are very few fights on this planet that need more strength than going through cancer. As people say, it is not for the faint-hearted. But luckily, we live in the 20th century where the wonders of science are everywhere and mind-blowing. The survival rate for cancer has progressed significantly over the last 30 years. With suitable treatment, medication, and determination you and your loved ones can go through this time. However, one of the things that are imperative to winning this battle is

deciding the right oncologist. An oncologist is a doctor who manages a person’s care or surgery once he has been diagnosed with cancer. Here, we have compiled a list of 5 best Oncologists in Delhi.

1. Dr. Vikas Goswami

Dr.Vikas Goswami is a Senior Consultant - Medical Oncology in Max Multi Speciality Hospital, Greater Noida.

Experience:

• Medical Oncology, Senior Consultant- Max Multi Speciality Hospital, Greater Noida, currently working
• Medical Oncology, Senior Consultant- Fortis Hospital, Noida, 2014
• Medical Oncology, Consultant- Cancer Cross, Noida, currently working
• Medical Oncology, Consultant- Asian Institute Of Medical Sciences, 2012
• Medical Oncology, Senior Resident- Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, 2009

Memberships

• European Society of Medical Oncologist

• American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)

• Association of Physicians of India (API)

• Indian Society of Medical and Paediatric Oncology (ISMPO)

• ICON

2. Dr. Shyam Aggarwal

Dr. Shyam Aggarwal is a cancer specialist specializing in medical oncology having more than three decades of clinical experience.

Education:

• MBBS, 1981, Medical College, Rohtak

• MD, 1984, PGIMER, Chandigarh

Awards:

Awarded NIH - International Fogarty Fellowship for training in the field of bone marrow transplantation and basics medical research at UCLA.Los Angeles, USA

• Silver Medal for standing first in M.D. Internal Medicine

• Silver Medal for standing first in Medicine in MBBS Final

• Selected in National Talent Search scheme by ICMR and awarded senior research fellowship after MBBS

3. Dr. Amit Aggarwal

Dr. Amit Aggarwal has more than 25 years of experience in orthopedics. He is the director of Medical Oncology at BLK Super Speciality Hospital in New Delhi. In 1996, he completed his MD from the University of Delhi. He also did his DM from AIIMS. He is the best surgical Oncologist in Delhi who has worked for renowned medical institutes like Fortis Hospital, Batra Hospital, and Medical Research Centre.

4. Dr. Harit Chaturvedi

Dr. Harit Chaturvedi started his oncology career at the esteemed and well known Cancer Institute, Adyar (Chennai). Dr. Chaturvedi has performed surgeries at live surgical workshops and has been championing the cause for cancer awareness and been a crusader against Tobacco for the last 15 years through various cancer foundations. He is widely respected for his clinical and surgical skills.

5. Dr. Jawahar Ticku

Dr. Jawahar Ticku has helped numerous patients in his 43 years of experience as an Oncologist. He studied and completed MBBS, MD – Medicine, MD – Oncology. He is accredited with investigations for early detection of Cancer, treatment by conventional chemotherapy, planning for radiation therapy which may be oral, Parenteral, intraarterial, intraperitoneal, Intravesical, intrathecal and so on. Using low dose chemotherapy in advanced stages of cancer and under staging the disease is his best achievement. He is currently associated with Rockland Hospital and Dwarka.

Zeeva Healthcare: Best Cancer Hospital & IVF Center in Delhi, Noida

Zeeva is the leading cancer hospital in Noida. Zeeva believes in providing authentic, supportive, and efficient care to patients. Majorly, we operate in three departments such as Oncology, IVF, and Women care. Nowadays, there is a cosmic need for quality healthcare and we provide just that. We solve the need by providing a holistic approach rather than a drugs alone method. We have an edge in what we do because we understand the local factors as our team belongs to this demographic.

Zeeva is one the best cancer hospital and IVF center in Delhi NCR. Using latest technology and best medical practices Zeeva team delivers authentic and efficient care to the patients.