Thyroid carcinoma

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Thyroid Carcinoma

Thyroid carcinoma (pronounced: thy-roid kar-si-no-ma) is a type of cancer that develops in the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ located in the front of the neck, below the Adam's apple. The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate the body's metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature.

Etymology

The term "thyroid" comes from the Greek word "thyreos", meaning "shield", due to the gland's shape. "Carcinoma" is derived from the Greek "karkinos", meaning "crab", and "oma", meaning "tumor". Thus, "thyroid carcinoma" refers to a cancerous tumor in the shield-shaped thyroid gland.

Types of Thyroid Carcinoma

There are four main types of thyroid carcinoma:

  • Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common type, accounting for about 80% of all thyroid cancers. It grows very slowly and usually affects only one lobe of the thyroid gland.
  • Follicular thyroid carcinoma accounts for about 10% to 15% of all thyroid cancers. It also grows slowly and is more likely to spread to the blood vessels and bones.
  • Medullary thyroid carcinoma is a rare type of thyroid cancer that starts in the C cells, which produce the hormone calcitonin. It accounts for about 3% of all thyroid cancers.

Symptoms

Symptoms of thyroid carcinoma may include a lump in the neck, changes in voice, difficulty swallowing, throat or neck pain, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma typically involves a physical exam, blood tests, imaging tests, and a biopsy. Treatment options include surgery, radioactive iodine therapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted drug therapy.

Related Terms

  • Thyroidectomy: Surgical removal of all or part of the thyroid gland.
  • Thyroid hormone: Hormones produced by the thyroid gland, including thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
  • Thyroid nodule: A small abnormal growth or lump in the thyroid gland.
  • Thyroiditis: Inflammation of the thyroid gland.

External links

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