Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common type of thyroid cancer, representing about 80% of all thyroid cancers. It develops from the follicular cells in the thyroid and is differentiated by the finger-like projections that extend from the malignant cells.
Papillary thyroid cancer has an incidence rate of approximately 12.2 per 100,000 persons per year. It is more frequent in women than men, with a female to male ratio of 3:1. The incidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma has been increasing steadily over the past few decades.
Homeopathy Treatment of Papillary Thyroid Cancer
At Welling Clinic, we believe that the treatment of thyroid cancer requires a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach. With this philosophy in mind, we have pioneered our very own Immuno-knife Homeopathic treatment for thyroid cancer.
Our Immuno-knife Homeopathy Cancer Therapy has shown to yield optimal long-term results, varying on factors such as the patient’s age, the stage of the thyroid cancer, and the overall health condition of the patient. In contrast with traditional treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy that may not necessarily enhance quality of life, our homeopathic approach offers numerous benefits.
Key Features of Our Homeopathy Treatment
1. Non-Invasive Treatment: By using a non-surgical approach, we tackle thyroid cancer in a manner that is less physically demanding for the patient.
2. Preventative Measures: Our approach actively works towards the prevention of recurrence of thyroid cancer.
3. Side-Effects Alleviation: We acknowledge the uncomfortable side-effects that may come from chemo and radiation therapy. Therefore, this treatment is designed to alleviate such discomforts.
4. Pain Relief: By focusing on not only the disease but also the discomfort it causes, this therapy offers relief for the variety of aches and pains associated with cancer.
5. Quality of Life Enhancement: Ultimately, this therapy aims to improve the general quality of life, providing patients with the strength and well-being to respond better to other forms of treatment.
Choose Welling Clinic for a more compassionate and holistic approach to thyroid cancer treatment.
What is Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma?
Papillary thyroid cancer often presents as a nodule in the thyroid gland, which may or may not be palpable. Common symptoms include a painless neck mass, hoarse voice, difficulties swallowing, swollen lymph nodes, and unexplained cough. However, many cases are asymptomatic and are discovered incidentally on imaging tests.
The diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma relies on fine needle aspiration biopsy and imaging tests like ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, or PET scan. These help determine the size and location of the tumor, as well as whether it has spread.
Treatment depends on the stage and typically involves surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid gland. This may be followed by radioactive iodine therapy and thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy may also be used in some advanced cases.
The prognosis for papillary thyroid cancer is generally very good, especially when detected early. The 10-year survival rate is over 90%, however regular monitoring and follow-up care is important after initial treatment.
Causes and Risk Factors
Papillary thyroid carcinoma is more common in certain groups of people. Understanding the risk factors allows those at higher risk to be screened and diagnosed early.
The exact causes of papillary thyroid cancer are unknown, but certain factors are associated with increased risk:
-
Genetic mutations – Mutations in genes such as BRAF, RAS, RET/PTC, TRK, TERT, and ALK can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and development of thyroid cancer. These mutations are present in 70-80% of papillary thyroid carcinomas.
-
Radiation exposure – Exposure to radiation is a known risk factor. Sources can include radiation treatment to the head and neck or fallout from nuclear accidents or weapons testing. The risk increases with higher amounts of radiation exposure.
-
Family history – Having a first-degree relative such as a parent, sibling or child with papillary thyroid cancer increases risk. Genetic factors likely contribute.
-
Age – Risk increases with age. Most cases occur in people ages 25-65 years old.
-
Gender – Women are two to three times more likely to develop papillary thyroid cancer compared to men. Female hormones may play a role.
Early detection through screening those at higher risk allows for earlier treatment when papillary thyroid carcinoma is most curable. Being aware of risk factors empowers individuals to monitor their health.
Symptoms of Papillary Thyroid Cancer
The most common symptom of papillary thyroid carcinoma is a painless lump or nodule in the thyroid gland. Some key symptoms include:
-
Lump in the neck: A lump in the front of the neck is often the first noticeable sign. The nodule or lump is often located at the base of the neck, next to the Adam’s apple. It may grow over time and in some cases may be large enough to see simply by looking in a mirror. The lump is typically painless.
-
Swelling in the neck: A visible swelling or fullness may develop in the neck as the tumor grows. This is often described as a “goiter”. The swelling may start small but progressively enlarges over time if left untreated.
-
Pain in the neck and throat: While thyroid nodules are usually not painful, large nodules can cause a feeling of pressure, soreness or pain in the neck. Some patients experience a choking sensation or difficulty swallowing. Pain may radiate up into the jaw or ears in some cases.
-
Hoarse voice: As the tumor grows, it can affect nerve function and cause vocal cord paralysis. This leads to voice changes like hoarseness, a “croaky” voice, or losing voice volume. Voice changes tend to develop gradually over time.
Some people with papillary thyroid cancer do not have any noticeable symptoms. In other cases, symptoms like a neck lump, vocal changes, or throat pain develop slowly over months or years. Since the disease is usually slow-growing, symptoms often emerge gradually. Anyone noticing these persistent neck symptoms should see a doctor for further evaluation and testing. Early detection and treatment provides the best prognosis.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing papillary thyroid carcinoma typically involves a combination of the following:
Physical exam
During a physical exam, a doctor will check for lumps, swelling, or tenderness in your neck area. They will inspect your thyroid gland visually and by touch to feel for any unusual nodules or enlargement. The doctor will also check your lymph nodes for any signs of swelling.
Blood tests
Blood tests check the levels of thyroid hormones to see if the thyroid gland is functioning normally. The tests can determine if hormone levels are abnormally high or low, which may indicate a problem with the thyroid. Tests may also check for raised levels of thyroglobulin and calcitonin, which can indicate cancer.
Biopsy
If an abnormality is detected in the thyroid, the doctor will recommend a biopsy to examine cells or tissue samples. This is the most definitive way to check for cancer. The main biopsy procedures include:
-
Fine needle aspiration – A thin needle is inserted into the thyroid nodule to collect cells. The cells are analyzed in a lab.
-
Core needle biopsy – Uses a wider needle to extract a thin cylinder of tissue. This provides more tissue for examination.
Imaging tests
Imaging techniques such as ultrasound, CT scans, MRI, PET scans, or radioiodine scans can create pictures of the thyroid and any nodules or abnormalities. This can help doctors evaluate the structure of the thyroid and determine if cancer may be present.
The combination of a physical exam, blood tests, biopsy, and imaging will allow the doctor to conclusively diagnose papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Staging
Staging determines the extent and spread of the cancer. Accurate staging is essential for determining the best treatment approach. Papillary thyroid carcinoma has a staging system that uses the tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) system:
T (Tumor): Indicates size of the primary tumor and whether it has grown into nearby structures:
- T1: Tumor 2 cm or less and limited to the thyroid
- T2: Tumor more than 2 cm but less than 4 cm within the thyroid
- T3: Tumor more than 4 cm or growing slightly outside the thyroid but not into nearby structures
- T4a: Moderately advanced – growing more significantly outside the thyroid into nearby structures like the trachea, esophagus, recurrent laryngeal nerve, etc.
- T4b: Very advanced – growing into the spine or into large blood vessels
N (Node): Indicates whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes:
- N0: No spread to nearby lymph nodes
- N1: Spread to nearby lymph nodes
- N1a: Spread to level VI or VII lymph nodes
- N1b: Spread beyond the central neck lymph nodes
M (Metastasis): Indicates whether the cancer has spread to distant sites:
- M0: No distant metastasis
- M1: Distant metastasis present
Staging Tests: Tests used to determine papillary thyroid cancer stage include lab tests (thyroid function, calcitonin), ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, PET scan, sentinel lymph node biopsy. These tests help determine the size and location of the primary tumor, whether cancer cells have spread to lymph nodes, and look for distant metastases.
Accurate staging is critical, as treatment plans differ based on the stage. In general, early stage papillary thyroid cancers have better prognosis and are treated with surgery alone, while later stage cancers often require surgery plus radioactive iodine, external beam radiation, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy.
Treatment of Papillary Thyroid Cancer
The main treatments for papillary thyroid carcinoma are:
Surgery
The most common surgery is a thyroidectomy, which involves removing all or part of the thyroid gland. Patients usually undergo a total thyroidectomy, where the entire thyroid is removed. A lobectomy, removing only half the thyroid, may be done for small tumors. Lymph nodes in the neck may also be removed if cancer has spread. Potential side effects of thyroid surgery include hoarseness, low calcium levels, and parathyroid gland damage.
Radioactive Iodine Therapy
After surgery, patients are usually treated with radioactive iodine (RAI). This is administered as a pill or liquid which is swallowed or injected into a vein. RAI travels through the bloodstream and kills any remaining thyroid cancer cells. It helps destroy any residual thyroid tissue after surgery and reduces the risk of recurrence. Common temporary side effects include nausea, dry mouth, taste changes, and salivary gland swelling. Long-term side effects are rare but may include secondary cancers.
Thyroid Hormone Therapy
Since removing the thyroid gland leads to hypothyroidism, daily thyroid hormone medication is required after surgery. This replaces the hormones the thyroid would normally produce and prevents hypothyroidism symptoms. The dosage is adjusted until thyroid hormone levels return to normal. Lifelong thyroid hormone therapy is usually necessary after thyroid removal.
External Beam Radiation
Radiation directed at the neck may be used if thyroid cancer persists after surgery and RAI. This targets any remaining cancer cells but can cause permanent dry mouth and tooth decay. It is not needed for most patients but may benefit those with advanced or recurrent disease.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is generally not used for papillary carcinoma unless the disease is very advanced or other treatments have failed. Chemotherapy drugs may be given alone or combined with external beam radiation. Potential side effects include fatigue, infection risk, appetite changes, and hair loss.
Prognosis
The prognosis for papillary thyroid cancer is generally very good, especially when caught early. The 5-year relative survival rate for papillary thyroid cancer is:
- Stage 1 – Near 100%
- Stage 2 – Near 100%
- Stage 3 – 93%
- Stage 4 – 51%
Several factors affect the prognosis and chance of recurrence, including:
- Age – Older patients generally have a worse prognosis.
- Tumor size – Larger tumors are associated with a worse prognosis.
- Extent of spread – Cancer that has metastasized has a worse prognosis.
- Completeness of surgery – Removing all cancerous cells leads to better outcomes.
- Response to RAI therapy – Poor response indicates remaining cancer cells.
Overall, the prognosis is excellent when papillary cancer is detected and treated early. Regular monitoring and follow-up care after treatment are important to watch for potential recurrence. With appropriate treatment, most patients go on to live long, healthy lives.
Prevention
There are a few ways to help prevent papillary thyroid carcinoma:
Avoiding Radiation Exposure
Limiting exposure to radiation is important, as ionizing radiation is a known cause of thyroid cancer. Those who received radiation treatments to the head, neck or chest during childhood are at higher risk. Adults can reduce exposure by limiting unnecessary x-rays and CT scans. Pregnant women should also avoid any x-rays unless absolutely necessary.
Thyroid Screening Exams
Annual thyroid exams can help detect nodules early before they become cancerous. High risk individuals, like those with a family history, radiation exposure or other thyroid conditions, may need screening starting at a younger age. Ultrasound and fine needle aspiration of any nodules found can determine if cancer is present.
Genetic Counseling
People with family members who had thyroid cancer may benefit from genetic testing and counseling. Certain gene mutations, like those in the RET proto-oncogene, raise the risk of medullary thyroid cancer. Knowing one’s genetic profile can help guide prevention and early detection efforts.
Lifestyle Changes
Making healthy lifestyle changes can be beneficial for people with papillary thyroid cancer. Here are some recommendations:
Healthy Diet
Eating a nutritious, balanced diet is important. Focus on getting plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Stay hydrated by drinking water. Limit processed foods, saturated fats, salt, and added sugars. Maintain a healthy weight. Talk to your doctor about any necessary dietary restrictions or nutritional needs.
Physical Activity
Getting regular physical activity has many health benefits. Aim for 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic exercise, like brisk walking or swimming, along with strength training 2-3 times per week. Check with your doctor before starting new exercise programs. Physical activity can help improve energy levels, strength, mood, and sleep.
Stress Management
Managing stress is essential for overall wellbeing. Try relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, deep breathing, or massage. Keep a journal. Spend time doing hobbies you enjoy. Get enough sleep. Connect with supportive friends and family. Consider counseling or a support group to cope with emotional challenges. Learning stress management skills can improve your quality of life.
Quitting Smoking
If you smoke, quitting can significantly improve your health and prognosis. Smoking is linked to many cancers and chronic diseases. Talk to your doctor about ways to successfully quit, like nicotine replacement therapy, prescription medications, counseling, or a tobacco cessation program. Having a strong support system can help you stop smoking for good. Quitting may be difficult, but can greatly benefit your health.
Making positive lifestyle changes can empower you to take control of your health during and after cancer treatment. Work closely with your healthcare team to make sustainable changes that fit your needs and situation.
Support and Resources
Living with papillary thyroid cancer can be challenging physically and emotionally. Connecting with others also dealing with the disease and utilizing available resources can provide great benefit.
Mental Health Services
A cancer diagnosis can negatively impact mental health. Connecting with mental health professionals and support groups can assist with coping. Options to consider include:
- Individual counseling or therapy
- Cancer support groups
- Hospital psychologist
- Psychiatrist
- Online counseling/therapy
Call us today on (+91) 80 80 850 950 to book an appointment and meet our specialist to know more about our speciality Homeopathy treatment of Thyroid cancer.
