Thyroid cancer is getting younger and younger

Unexpected detection of thyroid cancer

Ms. LTK (born in 1984, residing in My Duc, Hanoi) came to K Hospital for examination because for the past 2 weeks, she often felt pain in the front of her neck, choking when eating, feeling like something was pressing on her neck, even though she had no fever or vomiting.

Doctor at K Hospital examines the thyroid gland of a patient.

An ultrasound of the neck and biochemical tests indicated that she had a fine needle aspiration of thyroid cells. The results confirmed that she had thyroid cancer and needed a complete thyroidectomy.

In the case of Mr. NVP (20 years old, residing in Phu Tho) and a relative were suddenly diagnosed with thyroid cancer even though they did not have any unusual symptoms. According to Mr. P, because he was taking care of his mother who was being treated for thyroid cancer at K Hospital, he and a relative took the opportunity to have a health check.

However, both were surprised to receive information from the doctor that they both had thyroid tumors. The biopsy results showed that both had papillary thyroid cancer and were indicated for endoscopic thyroid lobectomy through the oral vestibule with central neck lymph node dissection. Thus, in Mr. P's family, 3 people were diagnosed with thyroid cancer at the same time.

Similarly, Ms. MTM (Hanoi) was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer during a routine health check-up. Ms. M was scheduled for thyroidectomy and neck lymph node dissection.

After a while, her mother and younger brother went to the doctor and were also diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer when there were no abnormal symptoms. Both were prescribed surgery to remove the entire thyroid gland, dissect the neck lymph nodes, and take radioactive iodine.

Who should be screened for cancer?

At K Hospital, it is not uncommon for a family to have thyroid cancer.

Dr. Ngo Xuan Quy, Head of Head and Neck Surgery Department, K Hospital, said: Most thyroid cancer patients come to K Hospital for examination and treatment due to accidental discovery or routine health check-ups, often without specific symptoms.

Treatment of cancer in general and thyroid cancer in particular requires a combination of many methods. For thyroid cancer, surgery plays a key role. In addition, other methods such as radioactive iodine and endocrine therapy also contribute significantly to the treatment plan. Depending on the condition of each patient, the doctor will prescribe a different treatment plan.

Dr. Ngo Xuan Quy

However, in some other cases, patients come to the hospital with large tumors and lymph nodes in the neck, which have invaded widely and compressed surrounding organs such as the trachea, esophagus, and recurrent laryngeal nerve, causing corresponding symptoms such as difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, etc.

To screen for thyroid cancer, according to Dr. Ngo Quoc Duy, Deputy Head of the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, K Hospital, young people should have a general health check-up once a year, especially those with high risk factors such as having parents or siblings with thyroid cancer or a history of previous neck radiation therapy.

In addition, when feeling or seeing a mass in the neck area or having symptoms of hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, etc., patients should immediately go to a medical facility for examination and consultation.

How to prevent?

Although it is a cancer, thyroid cancer usually has a good prognosis. Survival time is often very long, patients who are detected and treated at an early stage can be cured. In addition, the quality of life of patients after treatment is also stable.

To prevent thyroid cancer, according to Dr. Duy, the best measure is to improve physical fitness and health knowledge.

Accordingly, it is necessary to develop scientific eating habits: Drink lots of water, eat lots of green vegetables and fruits; limit fried, grilled, salted foods, canned and processed foods... because these are foods that are not good for the body and are risk factors for many cancers.

At the same time, you should exercise 30 minutes a day to help your body stay flexible, increase resistance, and reduce stress and fatigue. Equip yourself with knowledge about thyroid cancer and other cancers to proactively protect your health and detect malignant diseases early.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/ung-thu-tuyen-giap-ngay-cang-tre-hoa-192240426001706599.htm