JANUARY 23, 2017
THOSE WHO KNOW NOT OF THE AWARENESS OF PROCESSING THYROID DISEASE. LOOK AT THE VIDEO CLIP IT WILL INFORM YOU OF SOME VALUABLE DETAILS. DON'T STAND IN THE DARK ALONE.THERE ARE FIGHTERS AMONGEST THIS DISEASE, MAY BE LOVED ONES, FRIENDS, OR EVEN YOURSELF. LETS TAKE A STAND AND HELP THOSE WHO SUFFERS. THE THYROID AWARENESS FUNDRAISER IS STILL IN EFFECT. HELP US HELP THOSE WHO PREVAILS. YOU CAN DO SO BY LEAVING DONATIONS ON THE THETA NU SIGMA AND COMPANY FACEBOOK GROUP AT LINK BELOW!!!
OR YOU CAN COME INWORLD AND DONATE AT THE HANGOUT OFFICE!!!!
PLEASE TAKE THE TIME OUT TO WATCH THE VIDEO CLIP!!! THANKS IN ADVANCE!!
WHAT ARE THYROIDS DISORDERS?Thyroid disorders are conditions that affect the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck. The thyroid has important roles to regulate numerous metabolic processes throughout the body. Different types of thyroid disorders affect either its structure or function.
The thyroid gland is located below the Adam's apple wrapped around the trachea (windpipe). A thin area of tissue in the gland's middle, known as the isthmus, joins the two thyroid lobes on each side. The thyroid uses iodine to produce vital hormones. Thyroxine, also known as T4, is the primary hormone produced by the gland. After delivery via the bloodstream to the body's tissues, a small portion of the T4 released from the gland is converted to triiodothyronine (T3), which is the most active hormone.
The function of the thyroid gland is regulated by a feedback mechanism involving the brain. When thyroid hormone levels are low, the hypothalamus in the brain produces a hormone known as thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) that causes the pituitary gland (located at the base of the brain) to release thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to release more T4.
Since the thyroid gland is controlled by the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, disorders of these tissues can also affect thyroid function and cause thyroid problems.
UNDERSTANDING THYROID PROBLEMS
Through the hormones it produces, the thyroid gland influences almost all of the metabolic processes in your body. Thyroid disorders can range from a small, harmless goiter (enlarged gland) that needs no treatment to life-threatening cancer. The most common thyroid problems involve abnormal production of thyroid hormones. Too much thyroid hormone results in a condition known as hyperthyroidism. Insufficient hormone production leads to hypothyroidism.
Although the effects can be unpleasant or uncomfortable, most thyroid problems can be managed well if properly diagnosed and treated.
HERE IS A VIDEO OF SYMPTOMS OF LOW THYROID DISEASE!!!!
THERE IS STILL MORE TIME TO HELP SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUFFERS FROM HAVING THYROID DISEASE. ALL PROCEEDS GOES 100 PERCENT TO THYROID ASSOCIATION FUNDRAISER. YOU CAN HELP BY CLICKING ON THE LINKS BELOW!!!!
DONATE ON THETA NU SIGMA FB PAGE
AND OR
KIOSK AT HANGOUT COMMUNITY
How Do Thyroid Disorders Develop?
The thyroid is a
butterfly-shaped gland located just under the larynx, and it’s directly
responsible for how our body converts food into energy, also known as
the metabolism. Think of the thyroid like an oil refinery, and nutrients
like iodine and selenium as the crude oil used to build the thyroid
hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which act as the
gas.
If the metabolism slows down, T4 and T3 are
released into the bloodstream and communicate with the hormone receptors
of almost every single cell in the body, telling the cells to use more
energy and burn calories.
In the case of hypothyroidism, the body doesn’t
produce enough thyroid hormone. What this basically means is the body is
not burning enough energy to meet its needs. This is why you end up
gaining weight and feeling tired at the same time.
WE
CAN ALL HELP FIGHT THIS, BY SHOWING LOVE AND SUPPORT. I WANT TO THANK
THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTED AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT AND WANT TO; THEN THIS
IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP. ALL FUNDS GOES DIRECTLY TOWARD THYROID
AWARENESS ASSOCIATION 100 PERCENT. CHOOSE EITHER LINK TO HELP FIGHT THIS
WAR.
INWORLD KIOSK
THE
FIGHT HAS NOT ENDED, WE ARE GOING HARD, TO HELP FIGHT THIS DISEASE THEY
CALL THYROIDS. AS YOU ALL KNOW THE THE THETA NU SIGMA AND CHI SIGMA
SORORITY HAS TEAMED UP TO FIGHT THIS BATTLE. WE ALL CAN HELP FIGHT IT
ALSO BY FORMING A STRONG BOND AND GOOD HEARTS BY HELP CONTRIBUTING
FOLLOWING THE LINK BELOW AND TELEPORT.
DONATE
KIOSK AT THE HANGOUT
UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEMS OF THYROID DISEASE
Hypothyroidism
poses a special danger to newborns and infants. A lack of thyroid
hormones in the system at an early age can lead to the development of
cretinism (mental retardation) and dwarfism
(stunted growth). Most infants now have their thyroid levels checked
routinely soon after birth. If they are hypothyroid, treatment begins
immediately. In infants, as in adults, hypothyroidism can be due to
these causes:
- A pituitary disorder
- A defective thyroid
- Lack of the gland entirely
A hypothyroid infant is unusually inactive and quiet, has a poor appetite, and sleeps for excessively long periods of time.
Cancer of the thyroid gland is quite rare and occurs in about 5% of thyroid nodules.
You might have one or more thyroid nodules for several years before
they are determined to be cancerous. People who have received radiation treatment to the head and neck earlier in life, possibly as a remedy for acne, tend to have a higher-than-normal risk of developing thyroid cancer.
A thyroid disorder epidemic?
The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, can have a dramatic impact on a huge variety of bodily functions, and if you're a woman over 35 your odds of a thyroid disorder are high—more than 30%, by some estimates.At least 30 million Americans have a thyroid disorder and half—15 million—are silent sufferers who are undiagnosed, according to The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Women are as much as 10 times as likely as men to have a thyroid problem, says integrative medicine specialist Robin Miller, MD, co-author of The Smart Woman’s Guide to MidLife & Beyond.
19 SIGNS OF YOUR THYROIDS NOT FUNCTIONING RIGHT
- YOU FEELING DOWN
- YOU EXHAUSTED
- YOU FEEL JITTERY AND ANXIOUS
- YOUR APPETITE OR TASTE BUDS ARE ALTERED
- YOUR BRAIN FEELS FUZZY
- YOU HAVE LOST YOUR INTEREST IN SEX
- YOU ARE FEELING ALL FLUTTERY
- YOUR SKIN IS DRY
- YOUR BOWELS ARE UNPREDICTABLE
- YOUR PERIODS HAVE CHANGED
- YOU HAVE PAINFUL EXTREMITIES OR MUSCLES
- YOU HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
- YOUR THERMOSTAT IS ON A FRITZ
- YOU ARE HOARSE OR YOUR NECK FEELS FUNNY
- YOUR SLEEP SCHEDULE IS MESSED UP
- YOU GAINED WEIGHT
- YOUR HAIR IS THINNING OR FALLING OUT
- YOU HAVE TROUBLE GETTING PREGNANT
- YOUR CHOLESTEROL IS HIGH
What Causes Thyroid Problems?
All types of hyperthyroidism are due to an overproduction of thyroid hormones, but the condition can occur in several ways:
- Graves' disease: The production of too much thyroid hormone.
- Toxic adenomas: Nodules develop in the thyroid gland and begin to secrete thyroid hormones, upsetting the body's chemical balance; some goiters may contain several of these nodules.
- Subacute thyroiditis: Inflammation of the thyroid that causes the gland to "leak" excess hormones, resulting in temporary hyperthyroidism that generally lasts a few weeks but may persist for months.
- Pituitary gland malfunctions or cancerous growths in the thyroid gland: Although rare, hyperthyroidism can also develop from these causes.
Hypothyroidism
, by contrast, stems from an underproduction of thyroid
hormones. Since your body's energy production requires certain amounts
of thyroid hormones, a drop in hormone production leads to lower energy
levels. Causes of hypothyroidism include:
- Hashimoto's thyroiditis : In this autoimmune disorder, the body attacks thyroid tissue. The tissue eventually dies and stops producing hormones.
- Removal of the thyroid gland: The thyroid may have been surgically removed or chemically destroyed.
- Exposure to excessive amounts of iodide: Cold and sinus medicines, the heart medicine amiodarone, or certain contrast dyes given before some X-rays may expose you to too much iodine.You may be at greater risk for developing hypothyroidism if you have had thyroid problems in the past.
- Lithium : This drug has also been implicated as a cause of hypothyroidism.
TO DONATE ON FACEBOOK
INWORLD AT THE HANGOUT COMMUNITY
HELLO, MY NAME IS LADYLOVE C. I GIVE MRS. SHAY SUAVE PERMISSION TO DISPLAY MY STORY OF A SUFFERING VICTIM OF THYROIDS.I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THYROID DISEASE SINCE 1976. AS A VICTIM OF HAVING HYPOTHYROIDISM, I AM ACCUSTOMED TO IT. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH HYPOTHYROIDISM FOR SOME YEARS. SOMETIMES, I HAVE MY DAYS WITH DEALING WITH MUSCLE SPASMS BUT, I TRY NOT TO MISS TAKING MY MEDS EVERYDAY. IT HAS BEEN A BATTLE FOR ME. BUT, I JUST LIVE LIFE ON LIFE TERMS. I HAVE RECEIVED MANY TREATMENTS. MY OUTCOME, WAS THAT I HAVE HAD SURGERY ON ONE PART OF MY GLAND. I SUFFERS WITH GRAVES DISEASE. I AM LIVING WITH MY DISEASE ONE DAY AT A TIME.
JOIN THE TEAM OF BEING A ADVOCATE FOR THYROID!!!!
YOU WANT TO FIGHT, THEN FIGHT FOR A CAUSE..LETS FIGHT TO FIND A CURE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE A THYROID DISEASE!!!
THERE ARE FOUR TYPES OF THYROID CANCER:
- PAPILLARY (THE MOST COMMON TYPE)
- FOLLICULAR
- MEDULLARY
- ANAPLASTIC
THERE ARE STAGES WITHIN HAVING THYROID DISEASE:
The American Joint Committee on Cancer created the system that’s most
often used to describe the stages of thyroid cancer. It’s called the
“TNM” system, and it focuses on these three things:
- T -- How big is the main tumor, and has it spread to other areas of the body?
- N -- Has the cancer spread to nearby lymph nodes? (These are bean-shaped cells that help your body fight infection).
- M -- Has the cancer spread, or metastasized, to other areas of the body or organs, namely the lungs, liver, and bones?
After your doctor runs tests to find out what type of thyroid
cancer you have, he’ll add a number to each letter listed above. The
higher the number, the more advanced is that aspect of the cancer. (For
example, T2-T4 means a larger tumor than T1).
Next, your doctor will group this information into stages.
These are represented by the Roman numerals I through IV. For the most
advanced cases, the letters “A,” “B” and “C” also are used to indicate
how far the cancer has spread.
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO SEE THE STAGES WITHIN THE FOUR TYPES OF
THYROID CANCER.......
ALL DOCUMENTATIONS ARE FROM THE RESOURCE OF WEBMD PAGE..
HELP ONE HELP ALL!!!FIGHT FOR CURE FOR THYROIDS!!!!
THERE
IS ALSO A KIOSK AT THE HANGOUT COMMUNITY WHERE YOU CAN COME AND
DONATE!!! ALL FUNDS 100% GOES TO THYROID ASSOCIATION TO HELP THOSE IN
NEED.. LETS HELP RAISE 50K TO SUPPORT THE CAUSE!!!!!
What Causes Thyroid Problems?
All types of hyperthyroidism are due to an overproduction of thyroid hormones, but the condition can occur in several ways:
Graves' disease: The production of too much thyroid hormone.
Toxic adenomas: Nodules develop in the thyroid gland and begin to secrete thyroid
hormones, upsetting the body's chemical balance; some goiters may contain several of these nodules.
Subacute thyroiditis: Inflammation of the thyroid that causes the gland to "leak" excess
hormones, resulting in temporary hyperthyroidism that generally lasts a few weeks but
may persist for months.
Pituitary gland malfunctions or cancerous growths in the thyroid gland: Although rare,
hyperthyroidism can also develop from these causes.
Hypothyroidism: by contrast, stems from an underproduction of thyroid hormones.
Since your body's energy production requires certain amounts of thyroid hormones, a
1st Annual Thyroid Awareness Drive 2017
.......
Theta Nu Sigma and Chi Sigma Pi Sororities have partnered in Second Life to raise Awareness about Thyroid Disease via our Annual Fund raising Drive & Events .
There are several ways you can help.
100% of all funds donated will be sent directly to the American Thyroid Association http://www.thyroid.org/
1. Make a donation in world via our Official Thyroid Awareness Kiosks across the grid
.......
Theta Nu Sigma and Chi Sigma Pi Sororities have partnered in Second Life to raise Awareness about Thyroid Disease via our Annual Fund raising Drive & Events .
There are several ways you can help.
100% of all funds donated will be sent directly to the American Thyroid Association http://www.thyroid.org/
1. Make a donation in world via our Official Thyroid Awareness Kiosks across the grid
2. Donate directly to ONEthyroidawarnessONE Resident
3. Make a donation online to the American Thyroid Association directly at ONLINE DONATIONS
4. Host an event with one of our Kiosks to help raise funds for Thyroid Awareness Month 5. You can also support the sororities sponsoring this event. We are giving away commemorative his and hers paddles for this special event when you donate L$500 donation or more.
Thank you for your support
Thyroid Awareness Drive Committee
For more information please contact Jae somerset or Gabryielah Teardrop
OPEN YOUR EYES
INTO NOTICING THE TEN SIGNS OF HAVING THYROIDS!!!
CHANGES WITHIN YOUR WEIGHT
EXTREMES OF MOOD
MENSTRUAL CHANGES
GOITER
ALTERED MENTAL CAPACITY
LOW SEX DRIVE
HAIR LOSS
UNPREDICTABLE BOWEL FUNCTIONS
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
CHANGES IN SLEEP PATTERNS
YOURSELF WHO SUFFERS FROM THYROID DISEASE?
HOW ABOUT STEPPING INTO THEIR
SHOES?
Hypothyroidism is a condition characterized by abnormally low thyroid
hormone production. There are many disorders that result in
hypothyroidism. These disorders may directly or indirectly involve the
thyroid gland. Because thyroid hormone affects growth, development, and
many cellular processes, inadequate thyroid hormone has widespread
consequences for the body.
PEOPLE
WHO HAVE HYPOTHYROIDISM, ARE EFFECTED IN MANY WAYS. HYPOTHYROIDISM
CAUSES THEM TO HAVE A DECREASED BLOOD PRESSURE AND HEART RATE WHICH
COULD PROCEED INTO HAVING A HEART ATTACK AND CHOLESTEROL PROBLEMS CAN OCCUR ALSO.
OTHER PARTS OF THEIR BODY ARE AFFECTED ALSO SUCH AS THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. If your thyroid hormones are not handled correctly it can cause harm to your peripheral nerves. THE PERIPHERAL NERVES DIRECT MESSAGES FROM YOUR BRAIN TO OTHER PARTS OF YOUR BODY. PERIPHERAL NEURAPATHY causes tingling,numbness, weakness and burning pains.
HELP SUPPORT THE FOUNDATION BY CLICKING ON THIS TELEPORT
DONATION LINK
OTHER PARTS OF THEIR BODY ARE AFFECTED ALSO SUCH AS THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. If your thyroid hormones are not handled correctly it can cause harm to your peripheral nerves. THE PERIPHERAL NERVES DIRECT MESSAGES FROM YOUR BRAIN TO OTHER PARTS OF YOUR BODY. PERIPHERAL NEURAPATHY causes tingling,numbness, weakness and burning pains.
HELP SUPPORT THE FOUNDATION BY CLICKING ON THIS TELEPORT
DONATION LINK
 |
| HELP SUPPORT THYROID AWARENESS |
THYROID DISEASE AWARENESS
JANUARY 2017
LET HELP SUPPORT THE CAUSE!!!!!
DONATE
What Is Thyroid Cancer?
Thyroid cancer is a cancer that starts in the thyroid gland. To understand thyroid cancer, it helps to know about the normal structure and function of the thyroid gland.
The thyroid gland
The thyroid gland is under the Adam's apple in the front part of the neck. In most people, it cannot be seen or felt. It is butterfly shaped, with 2 lobes -- the right lobe and the left lobe -- joined by a narrow isthmus (see picture below)
The thyroid gland contains mainly 2 types of cells -- thyroid follicular cells and C cells (also called parafollicular cells).
The follicular cells use iodine from the blood to make thyroid hormone, which helps regulate a person's metabolism. Too much thyroid hormone (a condition called hyperthyroidism) can cause a rapid or irregular heartbeat, trouble sleeping, nervousness, hunger, weight loss, and a feeling of being too warm. Too little hormone (called hypothyroidism) causes a person to slow down, feel tired, and gain weight. The amount of thyroid hormone released by the thyroid is regulated by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain, which makes a substance called thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
C cells (parafollicular cells) make calcitonin, a hormone that helps regulate how the body uses calcium.
Other, less common cells in the thyroid gland include immune system cells (lymphocytes) and supportive (stromal) cells.
Different cancers develop from each kind of cell. The differences are important because they affect how serious the cancer is and what type of treatment is needed.
Many types of tumors can develop in the thyroid gland. Most of them are benign (non-cancerous)but others are malignant (cancerous), which means they can spread into nearby tissues and to other parts of the body.
Benign thyroid enlargement and nodules
Because the thyroid gland is right under the skin, changes in its size and shape can often be felt or even seen by patients or by their doctor.
The medical term for an abnormally large thyroid gland is goiter. Some goiters are diffuse, meaning that the whole gland is large. Other goiters are nodular, meaning that the gland is large and has one or more bumps in it. There are many reasons the thyroid gland might be larger than usual, and most of the time it is not cancer. Both kinds of goiter are usually caused by an imbalance in certain hormones. For example, not getting enough iodine in the diet can cause changes in hormone levels and lead to a goiter.
Lumps or bumps in the thyroid gland are called thyroid nodules. Most thyroid nodules are benign, but about 1 in 20 is cancerous (see the next section).
People can develop thyroid nodules at any age, but they are most common in older adults. Fewer than 1 in 10 adults have thyroid nodules that can be felt by a doctor. But when the thyroid is looked at in an ultrasound test, up to half of all people are found to have nodules that are too small to feel.
Most nodules are cysts filled with fluid or with a stored form of thyroid hormone called colloid. Colloid nodules are one of the most common types of thyroid nodule.
Solid nodules have little fluid or colloid. Some solid nodules may have too many cells, but the cells are not cancer cells. These types of nodules include hyperplastic nodules and adenomas. Sometimes these nodules make too much thyroid hormone and cause hyperthyroidism.
Benign thyroid nodules can sometimes be left alone (instead of treating them) as long as they're not growing or causing symptoms. Others may require some form of treatment.
Malignant thyroid tumors
Only about 1 in 20 thyroid nodules is cancerous. The 2 most common types of thyroid cancer are called papillary carcinoma and follicular carcinoma. Hürthle cell carcinoma is a subtype of follicular carcinoma. All these types are differentiated tumors. There are some other types of thyroid cancer, such as medullary thyroid carcinoma, anaplastic carcinoma, and thyroid lymphoma, but these occur less often.
Differentiated thyroid cancers
Differentiated thyroid cancers develop from thyroid follicular cells. In these cancers, the cells appear similar to normal thyroid tissue when looked at under a microscope.
Papillary carcinoma: About 8 of 10 thyroid cancers are papillary carcinomas (also called papillary cancers or papillary adenocarcinomas). Papillary carcinomas typically grow very slowly. Usually they develop in only one lobe of the thyroid gland, but sometimes they occur in both lobes. Even though they grow slowly, papillary carcinomas often spread to the lymph nodes in the neck. But most of the time, this can be successfully treated and is rarely fatal.
Several different variants (subtypes) of papillary carcinoma can be recognized under the microscope. Of these, the follicular variant (also called mixed papillary-follicular variant) occurs most often. The usual form of papillary carcinoma and the follicular variant have the same outlook for survival (prognosis), and treatment is the same for both. Other variants of papillary carcinoma (columnar, tall cell, diffuse sclerosis) are not as common and tend to grow and spread more quickly.
Follicular carcinoma: Follicular carcinoma is the next most common type of thyroid cancer. It is also sometimes called follicular cancer or follicular adenocarcinoma. Follicular cancer is much less common than papillary thyroid cancer, making up about 1 out of 10 thyroid cancers. It is more common in countries where people don't get enough iodine in their diet. These cancers usually remain in the thyroid gland. Unlike papillary carcinoma, follicular carcinomas usually don't spread to lymph nodes, but some can spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or bones. The prognosis for follicular carcinoma is probably not quite as good as that of papillary carcinoma, although it is still very good in most cases.
Hürthle cell carcinoma, also known as oxyphil cell carcinoma, is actually a kind of follicular carcinoma. This type accounts for about 4% of thyroid cancers. The prognosis may not be as good as that of typical follicular carcinoma because this subtype is harder to find and treat as it is less likely to absorb radioactive iodine. Radioactive iodine is used for treatment and to find metastases of differentiated thyroid cancer.
Other types of thyroid cancers
Medullary thyroid carcinoma: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) accounts for about 5% of thyroid cancers. It develops from the C cells of the thyroid gland. Sometimes this cancer can spread to lymph nodes, the lungs, or liver even before a thyroid nodule is discovered. These cancers usually make calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), which can be found by blood tests. Calcitonin is a hormone that helps control the amount of calcium in blood. CEA is a protein made by certain cancers, such as colorectal cancer and MTC. Because medullary cancer does not absorb or take up radioactive iodine (used for treatment and to find metastases of differentiated thyroid cancer), the prognosis (outlook) is not quite as good as that for differentiated thyroid cancers.
There are 2 types of MTC. The first type, occurring in about 8 of 10 cases, is called sporadic MTC. Sporadic MTC is not inherited; that is, it does not run in families. It occurs mostly in older adults and in only 1 thyroid lobe.
The other type of MTC is inherited and can occur in each generation of a family. These familial MTCs often develop during childhood or early adulthood and can spread early. Patients usually have cancer in both thyroid lobes and in several areas of each lobe. They are often linked with an increased risk of other types of tumors. This is described in more detail in the section "What are the risk factors for thyroid cancer?"
Anaplastic carcinoma: Anaplastic carcinoma (also called undifferentiated carcinoma) is a rare form of thyroid cancer, making up about 2% of all thyroid cancers. It is thought to sometimes develop from an existing papillary or follicular cancer. This cancer is called undifferentiated because the cancer cells do not look very much like normal thyroid tissue cells under the microscope. This is an aggressive cancer that rapidly invades the neck, often spreads to other parts of the body, and is very hard to treat.
Thyroid lymphoma: Lymphoma is very uncommon in the thyroid gland. Lymphomas are cancers that develop from lymphocytes, the main cell type of the immune system. Most lymphocytes are found in lymph nodes, which are pea-sized collections of immune cells scattered throughout the body (including the thyroid gland). Lymphomas are discussed in the separate American Cancer Society document, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Thyroid sarcoma: These rare cancers start in the supporting cells of the thyroid. They are often aggressive and hard to treat. Sarcomas are discussed in the separate American Cancer Society document, Sarcoma: Adult Soft Tissue Cancer.
Parathyroid cancer
Behind, but attached to, the thyroid gland are 4 tiny glands called the parathyroids. The parathyroid glands help regulate the body's calcium levels. Cancers of the parathyroid glands are very rare -- there are probably fewer than 100 cases each year in the United States.
Parathyroid cancers cause the blood calcium level to be elevated. This causes a person to become tired, weak, and drowsy. High calcium also makes you urinate (pee) a lot causing dehydration, which can make the weakness and drowsiness worse. Other symptoms include bone pain and fractures, pain from kidney stones, depression, and constipation.
Larger parathyroid cancers may also be detected as a nodule near the thyroid. No matter how large the nodule is, the only treatment is to remove it surgically. Unfortunately, parathyroid cancer is much harder to cure than thyroid cancer. The remainder of this document only discusses thyroid cancer.
Last Medical Review: 04/28/2009
Last Revised: 05/14/2009
Thyroid cancer is a cancer that starts in the thyroid gland. To understand thyroid cancer, it helps to know about the normal structure and function of the thyroid gland.
The thyroid gland
The thyroid gland is under the Adam's apple in the front part of the neck. In most people, it cannot be seen or felt. It is butterfly shaped, with 2 lobes -- the right lobe and the left lobe -- joined by a narrow isthmus (see picture below)
The thyroid gland contains mainly 2 types of cells -- thyroid follicular cells and C cells (also called parafollicular cells).
The follicular cells use iodine from the blood to make thyroid hormone, which helps regulate a person's metabolism. Too much thyroid hormone (a condition called hyperthyroidism) can cause a rapid or irregular heartbeat, trouble sleeping, nervousness, hunger, weight loss, and a feeling of being too warm. Too little hormone (called hypothyroidism) causes a person to slow down, feel tired, and gain weight. The amount of thyroid hormone released by the thyroid is regulated by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain, which makes a substance called thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
C cells (parafollicular cells) make calcitonin, a hormone that helps regulate how the body uses calcium.
Other, less common cells in the thyroid gland include immune system cells (lymphocytes) and supportive (stromal) cells.
Different cancers develop from each kind of cell. The differences are important because they affect how serious the cancer is and what type of treatment is needed.
Many types of tumors can develop in the thyroid gland. Most of them are benign (non-cancerous)but others are malignant (cancerous), which means they can spread into nearby tissues and to other parts of the body.
Benign thyroid enlargement and nodules
Because the thyroid gland is right under the skin, changes in its size and shape can often be felt or even seen by patients or by their doctor.
The medical term for an abnormally large thyroid gland is goiter. Some goiters are diffuse, meaning that the whole gland is large. Other goiters are nodular, meaning that the gland is large and has one or more bumps in it. There are many reasons the thyroid gland might be larger than usual, and most of the time it is not cancer. Both kinds of goiter are usually caused by an imbalance in certain hormones. For example, not getting enough iodine in the diet can cause changes in hormone levels and lead to a goiter.
Lumps or bumps in the thyroid gland are called thyroid nodules. Most thyroid nodules are benign, but about 1 in 20 is cancerous (see the next section).
People can develop thyroid nodules at any age, but they are most common in older adults. Fewer than 1 in 10 adults have thyroid nodules that can be felt by a doctor. But when the thyroid is looked at in an ultrasound test, up to half of all people are found to have nodules that are too small to feel.
Most nodules are cysts filled with fluid or with a stored form of thyroid hormone called colloid. Colloid nodules are one of the most common types of thyroid nodule.
Solid nodules have little fluid or colloid. Some solid nodules may have too many cells, but the cells are not cancer cells. These types of nodules include hyperplastic nodules and adenomas. Sometimes these nodules make too much thyroid hormone and cause hyperthyroidism.
Benign thyroid nodules can sometimes be left alone (instead of treating them) as long as they're not growing or causing symptoms. Others may require some form of treatment.
Malignant thyroid tumors
Only about 1 in 20 thyroid nodules is cancerous. The 2 most common types of thyroid cancer are called papillary carcinoma and follicular carcinoma. Hürthle cell carcinoma is a subtype of follicular carcinoma. All these types are differentiated tumors. There are some other types of thyroid cancer, such as medullary thyroid carcinoma, anaplastic carcinoma, and thyroid lymphoma, but these occur less often.
Differentiated thyroid cancers
Differentiated thyroid cancers develop from thyroid follicular cells. In these cancers, the cells appear similar to normal thyroid tissue when looked at under a microscope.
Papillary carcinoma: About 8 of 10 thyroid cancers are papillary carcinomas (also called papillary cancers or papillary adenocarcinomas). Papillary carcinomas typically grow very slowly. Usually they develop in only one lobe of the thyroid gland, but sometimes they occur in both lobes. Even though they grow slowly, papillary carcinomas often spread to the lymph nodes in the neck. But most of the time, this can be successfully treated and is rarely fatal.
Several different variants (subtypes) of papillary carcinoma can be recognized under the microscope. Of these, the follicular variant (also called mixed papillary-follicular variant) occurs most often. The usual form of papillary carcinoma and the follicular variant have the same outlook for survival (prognosis), and treatment is the same for both. Other variants of papillary carcinoma (columnar, tall cell, diffuse sclerosis) are not as common and tend to grow and spread more quickly.
Follicular carcinoma: Follicular carcinoma is the next most common type of thyroid cancer. It is also sometimes called follicular cancer or follicular adenocarcinoma. Follicular cancer is much less common than papillary thyroid cancer, making up about 1 out of 10 thyroid cancers. It is more common in countries where people don't get enough iodine in their diet. These cancers usually remain in the thyroid gland. Unlike papillary carcinoma, follicular carcinomas usually don't spread to lymph nodes, but some can spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or bones. The prognosis for follicular carcinoma is probably not quite as good as that of papillary carcinoma, although it is still very good in most cases.
Hürthle cell carcinoma, also known as oxyphil cell carcinoma, is actually a kind of follicular carcinoma. This type accounts for about 4% of thyroid cancers. The prognosis may not be as good as that of typical follicular carcinoma because this subtype is harder to find and treat as it is less likely to absorb radioactive iodine. Radioactive iodine is used for treatment and to find metastases of differentiated thyroid cancer.
Other types of thyroid cancers
Medullary thyroid carcinoma: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) accounts for about 5% of thyroid cancers. It develops from the C cells of the thyroid gland. Sometimes this cancer can spread to lymph nodes, the lungs, or liver even before a thyroid nodule is discovered. These cancers usually make calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), which can be found by blood tests. Calcitonin is a hormone that helps control the amount of calcium in blood. CEA is a protein made by certain cancers, such as colorectal cancer and MTC. Because medullary cancer does not absorb or take up radioactive iodine (used for treatment and to find metastases of differentiated thyroid cancer), the prognosis (outlook) is not quite as good as that for differentiated thyroid cancers.
There are 2 types of MTC. The first type, occurring in about 8 of 10 cases, is called sporadic MTC. Sporadic MTC is not inherited; that is, it does not run in families. It occurs mostly in older adults and in only 1 thyroid lobe.
The other type of MTC is inherited and can occur in each generation of a family. These familial MTCs often develop during childhood or early adulthood and can spread early. Patients usually have cancer in both thyroid lobes and in several areas of each lobe. They are often linked with an increased risk of other types of tumors. This is described in more detail in the section "What are the risk factors for thyroid cancer?"
Anaplastic carcinoma: Anaplastic carcinoma (also called undifferentiated carcinoma) is a rare form of thyroid cancer, making up about 2% of all thyroid cancers. It is thought to sometimes develop from an existing papillary or follicular cancer. This cancer is called undifferentiated because the cancer cells do not look very much like normal thyroid tissue cells under the microscope. This is an aggressive cancer that rapidly invades the neck, often spreads to other parts of the body, and is very hard to treat.
Thyroid lymphoma: Lymphoma is very uncommon in the thyroid gland. Lymphomas are cancers that develop from lymphocytes, the main cell type of the immune system. Most lymphocytes are found in lymph nodes, which are pea-sized collections of immune cells scattered throughout the body (including the thyroid gland). Lymphomas are discussed in the separate American Cancer Society document, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Thyroid sarcoma: These rare cancers start in the supporting cells of the thyroid. They are often aggressive and hard to treat. Sarcomas are discussed in the separate American Cancer Society document, Sarcoma: Adult Soft Tissue Cancer.
Parathyroid cancer
Behind, but attached to, the thyroid gland are 4 tiny glands called the parathyroids. The parathyroid glands help regulate the body's calcium levels. Cancers of the parathyroid glands are very rare -- there are probably fewer than 100 cases each year in the United States.
Parathyroid cancers cause the blood calcium level to be elevated. This causes a person to become tired, weak, and drowsy. High calcium also makes you urinate (pee) a lot causing dehydration, which can make the weakness and drowsiness worse. Other symptoms include bone pain and fractures, pain from kidney stones, depression, and constipation.
Larger parathyroid cancers may also be detected as a nodule near the thyroid. No matter how large the nodule is, the only treatment is to remove it surgically. Unfortunately, parathyroid cancer is much harder to cure than thyroid cancer. The remainder of this document only discusses thyroid cancer.
Last Medical Review: 04/28/2009
Last Revised: 05/14/2009
Theta
Nu Sigma Sorority and Chi Sigma Pi Sorority have partnered together to
raise awareness on second life about Thyroid Disease Awareness.
Our goal is to raise 50k or more for this cause. We will have several events throughout the month of January with our final event being the Winter wonderland Formal Ball For more info contact Jae Somerset or Gabryielah Teardrop
sponsor by: ΘNΣ sorority & XΣΠ sorority
Our goal is to raise 50k or more for this cause. We will have several events throughout the month of January with our final event being the Winter wonderland Formal Ball For more info contact Jae Somerset or Gabryielah Teardrop
sponsor by: ΘNΣ sorority & XΣΠ sorority
LETS HELP THOSE WHO SUFFERS
FROM THYROID DISEASE BY
CLICKING ON THE LINK
BELOW!!!DONATE
No comments:
Post a Comment