Thyroid cancer is a common malignant tumor of the thyroid gland, originating from the follicular epithelium or parafollicular epithelial cells of the thyroid gland. It is one of the most common malignant tumors in the head and neck region, accounting for approximately 1% of all malignant tumors in the body. The main types of thyroid cancer include papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC), medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), and undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma (ATC), with PTC being the most common, accounting for 85% -90% of all thyroid cancers.

The onset of thyroid cancer is related to various factors, including oncogene mutations, history of exposure to ionizing radiation, genetic factors, etc. Early thyroid cancer usually has no obvious symptoms, but as the tumor grows, symptoms such as painless lumps in the neck, difficulty breathing, swallowing, and hoarseness may appear. Some patients may also experience cervical lymph node metastasis and distant organ metastasis, mainly to the lungs, liver, and bones.

Latest treatment methods

The treatment of thyroid cancer is mainly surgical, supplemented by postoperative endocrine therapy, radionuclide therapy, and in some cases, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, etc. The specific treatment methods are as follows:

Surgical treatment: Surgical resection is the preferred treatment method for thyroid cancer. The scope of surgery includes surgery on the thyroid gland itself and neck lymph node dissection. The surgical plan may vary for different types and stages of thyroid cancer. For example, for patients with small papillary carcinoma without lymph node metastasis, only unilateral thyroidectomy and central lymph node dissection may be necessary. For patients with larger lesions, lymph node metastasis, or invasion of surrounding tissues, more extensive resection is required, such as total thyroidectomy and bilateral central lymph node dissection.

Endocrine therapy: Patients who undergo subtotal or total thyroidectomy should take thyroid hormone tablets (such as levothyroxine sodium tablets) for life to inhibit thyroid hormone synthesis and regulate thyroid hormone levels in the body. This helps reduce the risk of recurrence and improve prognosis.

Radioisotope therapy: For differentiated thyroid cancer such as papillary follicular carcinoma, iodine-131 can be used for postoperative radiotherapy. Iodine-131 can use its beta rays to inactivate residual thyroid tissue and metastases, thereby eliminating small residual lesions that may exist after surgery.

Targeted therapy: Drugs designed for specific molecular abnormalities, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, can be used to treat certain types of advanced thyroid cancer. These drugs can block carcinogenic signaling pathways, thereby inhibiting tumor growth.

Chemotherapy: Although chemotherapy has low sensitivity to thyroid cancer, it can still be considered for use in certain situations, such as locally advanced or distant disseminated cancers that cannot be completely removed. Chemotherapy is usually used in combination with other adjuvant therapies.

In summary, the treatment methods for thyroid cancer are diverse and individualized, and the most suitable treatment plan should be selected according to the specific situation of the patient. At the same time, patients should also pay attention to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and undergo regular physical examinations to prevent the occurrence and recurrence of diseases.