Thyroid cancer is a form of cancer that originates in the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland regulates metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. There are various types of thyroid cancer. Some types of thyroid cancer may appear with no symptoms at first, but as the disease advances, it might cause neck enlargement, voice changes, or difficulty swallowing. You can read about thyroid cancer treatment, cost, causes, symptoms, etc.
In recent years, the annual incidence of people diagnosed with thyroid cancer is about three times higher in women (22.8 cases per 100,000) than in men (8.0 cases per 100,000). Thyroid cancer treatment in India has a five-year survival rate of over 90%, highlighting the importance of successful thyroid cancer treatment in India.
Types of Thyroid Cancer
- Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: It encompasses two primary subtypes: papillary thyroid cancer and follicular thyroid cancer. These cancers develop from thyroid follicular cells.
- Papillary Thyroid Cancer: It is the most common type of thyroid cancer which grows slowly. It generally occurs in one of the thyroid’s lobes.
- Follicular Thyroid Cancer: Follicular thyroid cancer differs from papillary thyroid cancer by its tendency to spread to other regions of the body, such as the lungs or bones.
- Medullary Thyroid Cancer: Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) accounts for about 4% of all thyroid cancers and is different from the differentiated types of cancer. MTC is produced by the thyroid gland’s C cells, which create calcitonin, a hormone that regulates blood calcium levels. This cancer is difficult to identify and treat because it can easily spread to lymph nodes, the lungs, or the liver before a thyroid nodule is found. MTC is divided into two types: sporadic MTC, which is not inherited and primarily affects older persons, and familial MTC, which is inherited and typically develops in infancy or early adulthood.
- Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer: It is an aggressive type of cancer that accounts for around 2% of all thyroid cancers. It can originate from pre-existing papillary or follicular cancers. Anaplastic thyroid cancer is identified by its fast spread, entering nearby tissues and other parts of the body, which makes it difficult to treat.
- Other Rare Thyroid Cancers: Other rare types of cancer account for less than 4% of thyroid cancers. These include thyroid lymphomas, thyroid sarcomas, and other uncommon cancers. Each of these rare thyroid cancers has distinct characteristics, and their treatment may differ depending on their distinctive traits and behavior.
Different Stages of Thyroid Cancer
- Stage I: Cancer is only found in the thyroid gland. It has not migrated to lymph nodes or other areas in the body.
- Stage II: The cancer has spread to the thyroid gland. In this stage, localized metastasis may occur but not distant metastasis.
- Stage III: Cancer has grown to the thyroid gland and might be affecting nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage IV: The cancer has spread outside the thyroid gland. It is also possible that it has spread to other lymph nodes, organs, or bones.
Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer may not show any signs in its early stages. This is often found during normal physical examinations.
- Early Stages (often asymptomatic):
- A lump or nodule in the neck that is felt through the skin.
- Tightness or discomfort in shirt collars.
- Changes in voice, particularly hoarseness.
- Difficulty in swallowing accompanied by pain.
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
- Pain in the neck and throat.
- Advanced Stages (Metastatic Thyroid Cancer): When thyroid cancer spreads to other parts of the body, symptoms may include:
- Tiredness and discomfort.
- Appetite loss.
- Vomiting and nausea.
- Sudden weight loss.
Causes of Thyroid Cancer
- DNA Mutations: Thyroid cancer develops when cells in the thyroid gland acquire genetic changes known as mutations. These mutations cause cells to multiply and reproduce quickly, avoiding the regular cell death process. A malignant tumor develops as a result of the aggregation of these abnormal cells.
- Tumor Growth and Spread: As the tumour grows, it can spread (metastasize) to the lymph nodes in the neck. Cancer cells can travel to other parts of the body, such as the lungs and bones, in more advanced cases.
Risk Factors Associated with Thyroid Cancer
Several risk factors have been associated with an increased risk of getting thyroid cancer:
- Radiation Exposure: Exposure to radiation, especially during childhood, is a well-known risk factor for thyroid cancer.
- Inherited Genetic Syndromes: Certain inherited genetic diseases, such as medullary thyroid cancer caused by defective inherited genes, can increase the risk of thyroid cancer.
- Iodine Deficiency: In regions with low dietary iodine intake, there may be an elevated risk of specific thyroid cancers. In the United States, iodine deficiency is rare due to iodine supplementation in foods like salt.
- Enlarged Thyroid (Goiter): Individuals with an enlarged thyroid, also known as a goiter, may have an increased risk of thyroid cancer.
- Family History: A family history of thyroid disease or thyroid cancer can be a risk factor.
- Thyroiditis: Inflammation of the thyroid gland, known as thyroiditis, is linked to an elevated risk of thyroid cancer.
- Gene Mutations: Genetic mutations that lead to endocrine diseases, such as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) or type 2B (MEN2B) syndrome, can increase the risk of thyroid cancer.
- Obesity: A high body mass index (BMI) or obesity is associated with an increased risk of thyroid cancer.
Diagnosis of Thyroid Cancer Treatment in India
Some of the tests are done before the thyroid cancer treatment in India such as:
- Physical Exam: The doctor may examine neck for swelling, tumors or any unusual findings.
- Medical History: The doctor may ask about the patient’s medical history, which may include risk factors including radiation exposure or a family history of thyroid cancer.
- Thyroid Tests: Certain blood tests are done to measure hormone levels and assess the thyroid’s function.
- Biopsy: A fine-needle aspiration biopsy is performed. This involves extracting a tiny sample of thyroid tissue for testing, which is frequently accompanied by ultrasound.
- Imaging Tests: Imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scan, or PET scan may be used to evaluate the thyroid and determine the stage of cancer, especially if metastasis is detected.
Treatment of Thyroid Cancer Treatment in India
- Surgery: It is the primary and most common treatment for thyroid cancer. The surgical procedures for thyroid cancer treatment in India may include:
- Lobectomy: This procedure involves the removal of the lobe containing cancer.
- Near-total thyroidectomy: It involves the removal of most of the thyroid gland.
- Total thyroidectomy: It involves the complete removal of the thyroid gland.
- Lymph node removal: In this procedure, nearby lymph nodes are checked for any malignant cancer.
- Radiation Therapy:
- External Radiation Therapy: In this procedure, high-energy X-rays target malignant cancer cells.
- Radioactive Iodine Therapy: It is used for differentiated thyroid cancers to destroy remaining thyroid cells, especially after surgery.
- Chemotherapy: In this type of procedure, drugs are used to stop the growth of cancer cells. This treatment is usually reserved for advanced thyroid tumors and may be combined with radiation therapy.
- Hormone Therapy: Thyroid hormone replacement is usually done after surgery. This treatment block hormones that promote cancer cell growth.
- Targeted Therapy: It uses drugs that specifically target and destroy cancer cells while having less negative effects on normal cells. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors and protein kinase inhibitors are two examples.
- Watchful Waiting: For small and slow-growing cancers, periodic monitoring without immediate treatment is often recommended.
- Immunotherapy: This process uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer.
Cost of Thyroid Cancer Treatment in India
Thyroid cancer treatment in India normally costs between $3,300 and $5,500, depending on the type of surgery performed. Thyroid cancer treatment in India consists of surgery followed by radioactive iodine therapy or chemotherapy may also be recommended in cases when cancer has spread. The actual cost of thyroid cancer treatment in India may vary depending on factors such as the hospital, and surgeon’s fees.
Success Rate of Thyroid Cancer Treatment in India
Thyroid cancer treatment in India has a high success rate, with over 95% of patients surviving for more than five years. India’s outstanding survival rate can be linked to advances in medical technology, trained doctors and nurses, and effective options for treatment. Thyroid cancer can often be detected at an early stage, allowing for suitable surgical intervention and follow-up treatments such as radioactive iodine therapy.
Best Thyroid Cancer Treatment Hospitals in India
Several top hospitals in India provide some of the best thyroid cancer treatment options in India. These hospitals have cutting-edge medical technology and an experienced staff of oncologists and surgeons. These best thyroid cancer hospitals in India promote comprehensive cancer care, including surgery; radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and post-treatment support, to ensure that patients receive the top possible care and get the best successful treatment.
Fortis Memorial Research Institute Gurgaon
Dharamshila Narayana Super Specialty Hospital Delhi
Max Super Specialty Hospital Delhi
Medanta – The Medicity Gurgaon
Indraprastha Apollo Hospital Delhi
BLK Super Specialty Hospital Delhi
Columbia Asia Yeshwantpur Bangalore
Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital Mumbai
Wockhardt Hospitals Mumbai
Gleneagles Global Health City Gurgaon
Top Thyroid Cancer Treatment Doctors in India
India has a large number of highly skilled and experienced thyroid cancer doctors. These best thyroid cancer treatment doctors in India are well-known for their knowledge, dedication, and positive patient outcomes. These doctors provide specialized treatment plans that may involve surgery, radioactive iodine therapy, and chemotherapy, and are tailored to the specific needs of each patient. Patients seeking the best thyroid cancer treatment in India can count on these top doctors to provide comprehensive, patient-centered, and cutting-edge medical solutions, providing the highest quality of care and the best chances of successful treatment and recovery.
- Ramesh Sarin – Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
- Yogesh Kulkarni – Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai
- Kapil Kumar – Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi
- Jalaj Baxi – Fortis Hospital, Noida
- Vikram Pratap Singh – Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
- Shabber S Zaveri – Manipal Hospital, Bangalore
- Feroz Pasha – Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
- Niranjan Naik – Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon
- Tajamul Syed Malik- Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
- Deepak Sarin- Medanta- The Medicity Hospital, Gurgaon