Papillary Thyroid Cancer - Thyroid Supplements Guide

Papillary thyroid cancer is one of the thyroid cancer types. This type of thyroid cancer arises from the follicles in the thyroid gland. Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common thyroid cancer. Papillary thyroid cancer is more common in women than in men.

The most common reason as to why a person may suffer from papillary thyroid cancer is radiation exposure. If papillary thyroid cancer is left undiagnosed and untreated, it may spread to other parts of the body. Papillary thyroid cancer has a high cure rate if diagnosed in its early stage. The peak of papillary thyroid cancer ranges from 30 to 50 years old.

Papillary Thyroid Cancer Prognosis

A number of staging methods are used to assess the stage of papillary thyroid cancer. There are things that need to be considered before a physician can gauge the extent of an individual suffering from papillary thyroid cancer. The good thing about having papillary thyroid cancer is that the papillary thyroid cancer prognosis or the chance of recovery is much better compared to other types of thyroid cancer.

Age is the most important factor in a papillary thyroid cancer prognosis. Age decides the staging of papillary thyroid cancer. If papillary thyroid cancer is diagnosed in a young patient, rarely does the patient succumb to it. Even when the lymph nodes surrounding the neck are already affected. Below are the stages an individual can find themselves in if papillary thyroid cancer is left undiagnosed and untreated.

Stage 1

People diagnosed on this stage are normally below 45 years old. The size of the tumor is about 2cm. Normally, the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body just yet.

Stage 2

In this stage, the cancer had already spread out on the nearby lymph nodes. The tumor is already more than 2cm but less than 4cm.

Stage 3

Changes on this stage vary from patient to patient. For some, the tumor can be bigger than 4cm already. It is also possible for the tumor to grow outside of the thyroid gland at this stage. In some cases, on this stage, the cancer may spread outside the thyroid gland but still has not spread to other parts of the body.

Stage 4

This stage has three parts. First, the tumor may have spread to areas outside of the thyroid gland. The tumor may also be bigger. Second part is when the cancer cells have already progressed and the tumor had already spread to the nearby spine or blood vessels. In this part, the lymph nodes may be or may be not affected. Lastly, the third part is the most crucial part. This time, papillary thyroid cancer may have spread to the lymph nodes and even to other parts of the body.

Interesting Questions about Thyroid:

What is the Thyroid?

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland just below the Adam’s apple. This gland plays a very important role in controlling the body’s metabolism, that is, how the body functions. It does this by producing thyroid hormones (T₄ and T₃), chemicals that travel through the blood to every part of the body. Thyroid hormones tell the body how fast to work and use energy.

The thyroid gland works like an air conditioner. If there are enough thyroid hormones in the blood, the gland stops making the hormones (just as an air conditioner cycles off when there is enough cool air in a house). When the body needs more thyroid hormones, the gland starts producing again.

The pituitary gland works like a thermostat, telling the thyroid when to start and stop. The pituitary sends thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) to the thyroid to tell the gland what to do.

About 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. Many are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. No age, economic group, race, or sex is immune to thyroid disease.

The thyroid gland might produce too much hormone (hyperthyroidism), making the body use energy faster than it should, or too little hormone (hypothyroidism), making the body use energy slower than it should. The gland may also become inflamed (thyroiditis) or enlarged (goiter), or develop one or more lumps (nodules).

Fact:	Two of the most common thyroid diseases, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease, are autoimmune diseases and may run in families.
Fact:	Hypothyroidism is 10 times more common in women than in men.
Fact:	One out of five women over the age of 75 has Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the most common cause of hypothyroidism.
Fact:	Thyroid dysfunction complicates 5%-9% of all pregnancies.
Fact:	About 15,000 new cases of thyroid cancer are reported each year.
Fact:	One out of every 4,000 infants is born without a working thyroid gland.

What is Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism causes the body to slow down. It occurs when there is too little thyroid hormone in the blood (“hypo” means “not enough”). Hypothyroidism affects more than 5 million people, many of whom don’t know they have the disease. Women are more likely than men to have hypothyroidism.

Also, one out of every 4,000 infants is born with the condition. If the problem is not corrected, the child will become mentally and physically retarded. Therefore, all newborns in the United States are tested for the disease.

Symptoms in adults include:

feeling slow or tired
feeling cold
drowsy during the day, even after sleeping all night
slow heart rate
poor memory
difficulty concentrating
muscle cramps
weight gain
husky voice
thinning hair
dry and coarse skin
feeling depressed
heavy menstrual flow
milky discharge from the breasts
infertility
goiter

Many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism can occur normally with aging, so if you have one or two of them, there is probably no reason to worry. However, if you are concerned about any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor.

What is a Goiter?

A goiter is an abnormal swelling in the neck caused by an enlarged thyroid gland. It can become quite large. The problem occurs in at least 5% of the population.

Worldwide, the most common cause of a goiter is lack of iodine, a chemical which the thyroid uses to produce its hormones. About 100 million people don’t get enough iodine in their diets, but the problem has been solved in the United States and most developed countries by adding iodine to salt.

Even with the right amount of iodine, the thyroid gland can swell, creating a goiter. This can occur in any type of thyroid disease, including hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroiditis, and thyroid cancer. Many goiters develop with normal thyroid hormone levels and do not require treatment.

Have more questions? Need more answers? Check our Full Thyroid FAQ

Papillary Thyroid Cancer Treatment

Physical exam and medical history are the first few things that need to be check before an individual can be provided proper care and treatment. The following are some of treatments are done to patients who have papillary thyroid cancer.

Blood hormone studies – this procedure secures a blood sample from the patient to measure the amounts of certain hormones in the body.
Blood chemistry study – a procedure used to measure the amount of substances (e.g. calcium) in the body through a blood sample.
MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging – a procedure that uses magnet and radio waves to get a detailed picture of the body organs in the body.
RAI Scan or Radioactive Iodine Scan – this procedure is used to check areas in the body where the cancel cells may divide quickly.

Papillary thyroid cancer treatments depend on the doctor’s diagnosis. Don’t allow yourself to be left undiagnosed and untreated. Consult your doctor.

Papillary Thyroid Cancer Symptoms

Just like any other diseases, papillary thyroid cancer has symptoms. But not everyone who has papillary thyroid cancer is able to feel the symptoms. For some, they do not even have any idea that they have papillary thyroid cancer. It is strongly suggested to have one’s self checked if experiencing or feeling things in the body that is unusual. Physical exams will help check and determine if an individual is suffering from any disease. That way, an individual may be provided proper treatment and may help prevent future complications. Common papillary thyroid cancer symptoms are throat pains, difficulty in swallowing and having a hoarse voice. If one is feeling any of these symptoms, visit your doctor and have yourself checked.

Thyroid FAQ & Links to Related Articles

Parathyroid	There are four parathyroid glands that are normally having the size of a single rice grain. In some normal cases, they can be as big as the size of a pea.
Hypothyroid	Also called underactive thyroid, hypothyroidism is a disorder that is characterized by abnormal level of thyroid hormones in the body, which is too low.
Thyroid Glands	The thyroid is a butterfly (pear)-shaped gland, it consists of 2 symmetrical lobes joined by a central isthmus that normally covers the 2nd & 3rd tracheal rings.
Congenital Hypothyroidism	Congenital hypothyroidism is a thyroid gland disorder that may lead to deafness or mental retardation if left undetected.
Thyroid Depression	Hypothyroidism can cause depression. Most people don?t realize that this feeling is depression caused by the thyroid gland not functioning as it should.
Papillary Thyroid Cancer	Papillary thyroid cancer is one of the thyroid cancer types. This type of thyroid cancer arises from the follicles in the thyroid gland.
Thyroid Gland Function	The thyroid gland is located immediately below the larynx on each side of and anterior to the trachea. It is one of the largest of the endocrine glands
Thyroid Hormone	These thyroid hormones are responsible in regulating the body?s metabolism, which is how much food will be broken down into useful energy for consumption.
Thyroid Levels	When the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, one may suffer from hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone	The thyroid stimulating hormone is produced by the pituitary gland. The thyroid stimulating hormone promotes the growth of the thyroid gland.
Thyroid Hormones	Thyroid hormones are chemical substances produced by the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck.
Supplements for the Thyroid	Natural thyroid supplements are helpful as a remedy to thyroid disorders. Its natural ingredients assure one of its safeties in taking it.
Thyroid Symptoms in Women	The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland that is the primary responsible in regulating the body?s metabolism.
Thyroid Surgery	Thyroid surgery is used to treat people with thyroid problems such as thyroid cancer, thyroid nodules and hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid Test	Thyroid tests or thyroid function tests are done to check the thyroid function in one?s body. A doctor will be able to determine and diagnose the thyroid disorder.
Thyroid Treatment	Treatment for thyroid disorders should be done to prevent unwanted results caused by the severity of the condition. Consult a physician for more of these treatments.
Thyroidectomy	Thyroidectomy is a surgical process wherein the whole or a part of the thyroid gland is removed. This surgical process is used to treat thyroid disorders.
Underactive Thyroid	Having an underactive thyroid is a minor problem but it seeks proper attention to avoid further health problems. Consult a physician about any thyroid problem.
Low Thyroid	Low thyroid, also known as hypothyroidism, is a condition where the thyroid gland is under active.
Underactive Thyroid Diet	Following a healthy meal plan, exercise and proper medication goes hand in hand to treat hypothyroidism. Consult a physician for a more individualized plan.
Thyroid Cancer Treatment	Each thyroid cancer treatment depends on the type of thyroid cancer and the extent or stage of the thyroid cancer one is suffering from.
Parathyroid Hormone Levels	Parathyroid hormones are considered to be the most important endocrine regulator. It basically regulates the calcium and phosphorus concentration in the body.
Parathyroid Disease	Studies show that since 1925, the standard treatment for parathyroid disease is to surgically remove the parathyroid gland(s) which are overproducing parathyroid hormones.
Parathyroid Adenoma	Parathyroid adenoma is a small tumor of the parathyroid gland and is known to be the most common disorder of the gland.
Medullary Thyroid Cancer	Medullary thyroid cancer is one of the types of thyroid cancer. This type of thyroid cancer is more common in women than in men.
Overactive Thyroid	Most people don?t feel any symptoms. Others can just lose weight and just feel depressed for no reason at all.
Hypothyroidism	Suppose you go in for a routine checkup and your doctor decides to test your thyroid function. You?ve experienced no thyroid disease symptoms
Hypothyroidism Symptoms	Hypothyroidism develops for over a long period of time. It?s normally from several months to even several years.
Hypothyroidism Natural Treatment	People who are suffering from hypothyroidism are advised to get plenty of exercise and have a balanced and healthy diet. The diet must be rich in protein and iodine.
Hypothyroidism Diet	Self medicating one?s thyroid disorder with hypothyroidism diet pills without proper information of the diet pill does not address the problem.
Hyperthyroidism Symptoms & Treatment	Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid gland is overactive and produces too much thyroid hormones more than the body needs.
Hypothyroidism	Hypothyroidism is one of the chronic diseases in the world. Hypothyroidism is also known as underactive thyroid; hypo means under or below normal.
Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer	Anaplastic thyroid cancer is a type of thyroid cancer that is rare and aggressive. It affects the thyroid gland and most especially its function.
Thyroid Disorders	Problems arise if the thyroid gland is overactive or underactive. There are three common thyroid disorders. These are hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and the thyroid nodules.
Thyroid Hair Loss	Hair loss may happen for so many reasons but it is commonly associated to thyroid problems such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
Thyroid Function Test	Thyroid Function Tests are the different tests conducted to assess and determine the cause of an individual?s thyroid problems.