Monday, October 30, 2006

diagnosis of thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer is a disease in which the thyroid cells become abnormal, grow uncontrollably, and form tumors. A woman's risk of developing thyroid cancer is three times greater than a man's. Most people who develop thyroid cancer are 50 years of age or older, but the disease can affect teenagers and young adults.

The doctor may use several tests to confirm a diagnosis of thyroid cancer. The size and location of the lump has to be identified and it has to be determined whether the lump is non-cancerous called benign or cancerous known as malignant. The most accurate diagnostic tool for thyroid cancer is a biopsy. In this process, a sample of thyroid tissue is withdrawn and examined under a microscope.

A radioactive scan can be used to identify any abnormal areas in the thyroid. The patient is given a very small amount of radioactive iodine, which can either be taken by mouth or injected into the thyroid.

Having hypothyroidism symptoms is related to hormone imbalance and it is the simplest of the three types of thyroid disorders to treat. The current method of treatment for hypothyroidism is some form of daily thyroid hormone replacement. Other treatment such as radioactive iodine, antithyroid drugs and surgery are all effective treatments for hyperthyroidism

Friday, October 20, 2006

Thyroid cancer can be treated successfully with early detection

Thyroid cancer develops as a result of the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the thyroid gland, resulting in a tumor. Since the thyroid gland is close to the skin, tumors often appear as lumps called thyroid nodules in the neck. Lumps or thyroid nodules are mostly harmless. However, certain lumps are cancerous. A ‘fine needle aspiration biopsy’ done in doctor’s office is the most common method used to detect whether a lump is cancerous or not. If the nodule is cancerous, then surgical removal is the only option.

Thyroid cancer is more widespread among women than men. Most types of thyroid cancer can be treated successfully with early detection with appropriate surgical procedures. While some Symptoms associated with thyroid problems appear slowly and is therefore often misdiagnosed.

Studies reveal that people who are exposed to large amounts of radiation or those who have undergone radiation treatments for medical purposes, especially on the head and neck, face an increased risk of developing thyroid cancer.

The three most common thyroid problems are the underactive thyroid, the overactive thyroid, and thyroid nodules. Overactive thyroid releases excessive thyroid hormone into the bloodstream, resulting in hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism causes the body to use up energy more rapidly than it should, and chemical activities in the cells such as metabolism speeds up. In the case of underactive thyroid, the thyroid gland is attacked by the body's immune system. Thyroid Nodules is a condition that begins as a small swelling or lumps in the thyroid gland. Other thyroid problems include inflammation of the thyroid gland, enlargement of the thyroid gland, and thyroid cancer.

Monday, October 09, 2006

Diagnosis of thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer is a disease in which the thyroid cells become abnormal, grow uncontrollably, and form tumors. Thyroid cancers are grouped into four types, based on how the cell appears under the microscope. If left untreated, the cancer can spread to other parts of the body.
The thyroid is a small gland in the neck that takes up iodine from the body to produce hormones that help control the body's metabolism,

The most frequent symptom of thyroid cancer is a lump or nodule that can be felt in the neck. Other symptoms are rare. The lump usually is not painful, but some patients experience a tight or full feeling in the neck and have some difficulty breathing or swallowing. The lymph nodes may be swollen and the voice may become hoarse because the tumor presses on the nerves leading to the voice box.

The doctor may use several tests to confirm a diagnosis of thyroid cancer. The size and location of the lump has to be identified and it has to be determined whether the lump is non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). Blood tests, such as the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test, may be ordered to check how well the patient's thyroid is functioning.

The most accurate diagnostic tool for thyroid cancer is a biopsy. In this process, a sample of thyroid tissue is withdrawn and examined under a microscope. The tissue samples can be obtained either by drawing out a sample of tissue through a needle (needle biopsy) or by surgical removal of the nodule (surgical biopsy). If thyroid cancer is diagnosed, further tests may be done to learn about the stage of the disease and help the doctors plan appropriate treatment.

Monday, October 02, 2006

Person suffers from hypothyroidism

The thyroid gland produces hormones that accelerate and in other wise regulate metabolism. A part of metabolism is the process of breaking down energy containing nutrients, and using the energy to produce molecules that all the processes and activities in the body use as fuel. Another part is the production of molecules that the body use as building materials.

An individual who suffers from hypothyroidism, referred to as a hypothyroid, has an abnormally slow metabolism. The patient’s slow metabolic rate can bring about health disorders ranging from mild complaints to fatal complications. The subtle and mild symptoms associated with hypothyroidism include drowsiness, difficulty in tolerating cool temperatures, physical exhaustion, weight gain despite loss of appetite, dry hair and pale skin, and stiffness of joints and muscular cramps. Life-threatening complications may also develop such as mental sluggishness and memory loss, visual disturbances that may lead to blindness, chronic depression, insanity, coma and, eventually, death, if the patient fails to be cured or diagnosed.

Having hypothyroidism symptoms is related to hormone imbalance. For a woman, three of the critical hormones are estrogen, thyroid hormone and progesterone. Understanding how these hormones work together helps one better understand how to approach treating thyroid disease symptoms.

Essentially, hypothyroidism is diagnosed by either blood tests or physical examination and review of a patient’s medical history. The most recent accessory to diagnosis the disorder is blood testing that involves measurement of T4 and TSH in the blood. Some thyroid specialists, however, prefer a physical examination, a thorough review of the medical history and a measurement of basal body temperature as diagnostic tests.

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?