Thyroid Cancer is a thyroid neoplasm that develops in the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland consists of two large lobes that are connected by the isthmus and is located below the larynx on both sides of the trachea. The gland secretes hormones from the hypothalamus that may be stored in the colloid or released into the blood in capillaries. In the endocrine system, the thyroid gland secretes hormones that act on cells with specific receptors called target cells. When cancer develops in the thyroid, the production of hormones is disrupted. The cancer cells in the thyroid do not grow or divide normally and can develop into growths or tumors.
The cause of thyroid cancer has not been discovered; however research shows that people with certain risk factors have a higher danger of developing thyroid cancer (MedicineNet). Women are at a higher risk than men, and most cases occur in people ages 30-50. Scientists have also discovered that thyroid cancer can be linked to genetics. If further research is conducted, researchers may be able to detect cancer earlier.
The four types of thyroid cancer are papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic. Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common form of thyroid cancer and if it is not treated early, it can spread throughout the body to sites such as the lungs and the bones. When the papillary thyroid cancer spreads to the lymph nodes, they become enlarged. Follicular thyroid cancer is more aggressive than thyroid cancer. The cancer develops mostly in an older age group and is less common in children. In rare cases, follicular thyroid cancer occurs after radiation therapy and it is uncommon that the cancer will spread to lymph nodes, bones, or lungs. Follicular cancer may invade vascular st...
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Marieb, E. N., & Hoehn, K. (2013). Human anatomy & physiology (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
The thyroid gland is located in the anterior, middle portion of the neck. Many of the bodies’ hormones come from the thyroid. According to Porth 2011, “the thyroid hormone increases the metabolism and protein synthesis in nearly all of the tissues of the body.” (p. 784). When these hormones are not regulated, a thyroid disorder develops such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
but they are often more aggressive in adults than children. In adults, tumors in the hypothalamus are more likely to be metastatic (resulting form the spread of cancer form another organ to the hypothalamus) than they are when they occur in children. Peter Heage, of Colorado, was diagnosed with a hypothalamic brain tumor. He said that he was having headaches too often,
Marieb, E. N., (2006). Essentials of human anatomy and physiology. San Francisco, CA: Benjamin Cummings.
Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology Third Edition by Eldra Pear Soloman (pgs. 51 and 58)
The reasons why are unclear, but there is a sharp distinction between male and female thyroid cancer rates - females tend to develop the cancer more by nearly three times as often (“What Are the Risk Factors for Thyroid...
This is because the tissue swells around the eyes and suffer from hyperthyroidism, muscular weakness, and rapid pulse and develop a reddish, painless skin rash. People who show signs and symptoms usually are either mild or severe. It all depends on the activity level of the thyroid. The disease affects the immune system itself and no other places. Symptoms usually develop over a 3-month period. The carrier usually is not aware that they have Graves’ disease. They usually find out when the symptoms are severe. The common signs are weight loss, tremors, feeling of being hot, and palpitations. (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.org). The less common sign that can occur as well. They are over activity of the intestines, which leads to frequent bowl movements. Sometimes the breakdown of protein in muscles can lead to extreme weakness, which causes trouble breathing and limited endurance. (The Thyroid Book). The thought of having Graves’ disease can be disturbing. Mood swings and thinking impairment can be difficult to handle. Crying spells, depression and feeling down are common. The patient’s personality can be different and will change. This could make work difficult and hard to keep. Generally, a person with Graves’ disease will have a thyroid that is enlarged but will not have any pain from it. This is called a goiter and can be seen in the neck most of the time. Sometime you cannot see the goiter but by feeling and examining the neck, it can be detected.
Thyroid cancer is one of the more uncommon types of cancers in the United States. This type of cancer is three times more likely to affect women rather than men (Sarge 1). Even though, it is a rare type of cancer to contract, women are at a higher risk to contract or have already contracted thyroid cancer. In the novel, Hazel Grace, the main character, is a teenage female who has papillary cancer that has metastasized to the lungs. Thyroid cancer is most commonly found in people over the age of 30 (Petit 1). Only a small portion of cancers are diagnosed a year. According to recent survey, about 11,000 cases of thyroid cancer are diagnosed a year, which is not a great deal when compared to other cancers (Thyroid Cancer 1). In addition to this cancer being more prevalent in women, there are certain ethnic groups that have a greater chance of having this...
Mink Intro – External Anatomy Overview. (n.d.). mreroh.com . Retrieved May 27, 2014, from http://www.mreroh.com/student/apdocs/Dissection/Intro%20-%20External%20Anatomy.pdf
Thyroid cancer starts in the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located in the front part of your neck below just below your Adams apple. The thyroid isn’t really that noticeable making it very difficult to be felt for. Your thyroid gland controls thyroid hormones that help to regulate metabolism, mine works as slow as state government. On occation there can be too much or too little hormones produced which can cause all sorts of other problems. The thyroid also control how the body utilizes calcium. (American Cancer Society, 2012)
The thyroid is a reddish, ductless gland that looks like butterfly-shaped gland that is located in front of the trachea. The gland is the most richly vascular tissue. It consist of numerous closed follicles containing colloid matter and is surrounded by a vascular network. The thyroid gland might be small but it plays a huge role in our body. The thyroid influence the function of the body’s most important organs including: the heart, brain, liver, kidneys and even the skin. Ensuring that the thyroid gland is healthy and functioning properly is very important to the body’s health.
Cancer cells differ from normal cells in size, structure, function, and growth rate. These malignant cells lack the normal controls of growth seen in healthy cells, and grow uncontrollably. This uncontrolled growth allows the cancer cells to invade adjacent structures and then destroy surrounding tissues and organs. Malignant cells may also metastasize to other areas of the body through the cardiovascular or lymphatic systems. This uncontrolled growth and spread of cancer cells can eventually interfere with one or more of a person's vital organs or functions and possibly lead to death. The primary sites of cancer metastasis are the bone, the lymph nodes, the liver, the lungs, and the brain (McCance & Roberts, 1998).
Thibodeau, G & Patton, K. (2008) Structure and Function for the Body. 13th Edition. St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier.
Cancer develops when the body’s normal control mechanism stops working. The old cell does not die, but instead grows out of control forming new, abnormal, nonfunctional cells. They form mass of tissues called tumors. Some rare cancers does not form tumors.
New York: Oxford University Press, 2003. eMedicineHealth.com - eMedicineHealth.com - eMedicineHealth.com - eMedicineHealth.com - eMedicineHealth.com - eMedicineHealth.com - 2013. The. Anatomy of the Central Nervous System. Pictures and Information on eMedicineHealth.com.