Posts Tagged ‘Malignancy’

Goitre and Thyroid Cancer – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland at the base of your neck and below Adam’s Apple and close to the collar bones. Thyroid secretes hormones T3 which is called thyroxine and T4 which is called triidothyronine. They control how fast and efficiently cells convert nutrients into energy. Thyroid gland is controlled by pituitary gland and it produces a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).

GOITRE – ENLARGED THYROID GLAND

The enlargement of thyroid gland is called goitre. It keeps on producing normal levels of thyroid hormones.
Symptoms include swelling in the neck. It causes cough, suffocating feeling during sleep and food stuck in throat.
The causes of goitre include an iodine deficient diet and an increased TSH which senses the decreased hormones produced by thyroid gland and turns on the heat. This stimulation causes the thyroid gland to enlarge.
The treatment for small to moderate sized goitre is done by oral thyroid hormones which reduces the production of TSH and stabilizes the gland size.
For large sized goitre, surgery may be needed which compresses the wind pipe and food pipe or if there is a suspicion of malignancy.

THYROID CANCER

It is the malignant tumor of the gland and is the most common malignancy of the endocrine system. It occurs three times more common in women and it is not age specific.
The symptoms for thyroid cancer include a painless solid lump in front of your neck which could be diagnosed during a physical examination.
The causes of thyroid cancer are unknown but risk factors include genes, exposure to environmental radiation or radiation therapy of neck, head or chest.
The diagnosis of thyroid cancer is done through blood tests, ultrasound of thyroid gland and biopsy of nodule.
The treatment for thyroid cancer involves surgery in which thyroid gland is removed and after sometime medication is given to replace thyroid hormone for life.

Avoid:
- food containing iodine.
- dairy products.
- eggs.
- seafood.
- cured meats.
- baker’s bread.
- soy.
Thyroid diseases are easily diagnosed and treated yet they are often ignored.

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Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of Oral Cancer

Cancer of the oral cavity can be symptomatic in the early stages. The common symptoms are patches (white or red) or ulcers in the mouth or lips. Ulcer in the oral cavity which does not heal, bleeding from the ulcer, difficulty in swallowing and speaking, loosening of teeth and lump in the neck are other common symptoms. All these symptoms prompt immediate consultation with a health care professional. Conformation of cancer is done by a biopsy of the lesion and examination of the cells under a microscope. The cancer, when ignored, has a tendency to spread to the lymph nodes in the neck and in later stages to distant organs such as lungs, bone and liver. X-ray of the jaw bone and chest, computed tomography scan (CT scan) of the head, neck and chest and ultrasound of the abdomen can be done to detect the areas affected by the disease.

Surgical removal is usually preferred and is adequate for most patients with early stages of cancer. The functional and cosmetic results of excision are usually good. Surgery for patients with advanced stage cancer can be technically demanding because the cancer tends to involve vital structures. Depending on the site of the tumour, the surgery may include removal of part of the tongue, lip, jaw bone or cheek bone. The residual defect following surgery is rectified by replacing it with tissue from other parts of the body. These patients also require radiotherapy and chemotherapy to prevent recurrence of cancer. Following treatment rehabilitation of the patient is often necessary to improve chewing, swallowing and speech for which speech therapists are involved. Even though full treatment has been instituted the patient may be at a risk of developing cancer at some other site in their upper aero-digestive system. Therefore, the patient must go for check-ups regularly and inform the doctor if new symptoms develop.

Eliminating the causative agents like tobacco and alcohol is essential to reduce the cases of oral cancer. early detection and treatment will help in improving the chances of survival for patients with oral cancer.

Oral cancer – causes and symptoms of this cancer.

Oral cancer has emerged as a major health problem. The oral cavity includes many parts: the lips; the lining inside the lips and cheeks, called the buccal mucosa; the teeth; the bottom (floor) of the mouth under the tongue; the front two-thirds of the tongue; the bony top of the mouth (hard palate); the gums; and the small area behind the wisdom teeth.
The cancer arises from the cells which line the oral cavity. Oral cancer is part of a group of cancers called head and neck cancers. Oral cancer can develop in any part of the oral cavity or oropharynx.

Causes and Risk Factors of Oral Cancer

- Tobacco is one of the main cause of oral cancer. Tobacco smoke and tobacco juice contain more than 60 proven carcinogens which irritate the lining of the oral cavity and cause cancer.
- Habitual use of paan which contains beetel nut and lime can cause cancer even if tobacco is not present.
- Alcohol is another important cause that enhances the carcinogenic effect of tobacco when used together.
- Other factors include infection with human papillomavirus, poor oral hygiene, excessive exposure to sunlight, vitamin deficiencies.

Symptoms of Oral Cancer

- Bleeding in the mouth.
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing.
- Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue.
- A sore on the lip or in the mouth that does not heal.
- A lump on the lip or in the mouth or throat.
- A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth.
- Loose teeth.
- Change in voice.
- Pain in ear.
- Hoarseness, chronic sore throat, or change in voice.
- In some cases, weight loss.
- Numbness, loss of feeling, or pain/tenderness in any area of the face, mouth, or neck.
- Swallowing can become a problem.

The red patches have higher possibility of becoming cancer. If these lesions are identified early and removed, the chances of developing cancer are very low. In certain patients, large areas of oral cavity may have premalignant lesions making surgical removal difficult.