Currently, thyroid cancer is a concern for many people, especially women. Among them, papillary carcinoma of the thyroid is the most common type. If not detected in time, it not only harms health but also causes many serious complications. Let’s find out the causes and some treatment methods of this disease!

What is papillary carcinoma of the thyroid?

The thyroid is an endocrine gland located in the front of the neck, between the larynx and the trachea. The main function of the thyroid is to produce hormones for the body’s metabolism and development. Papillary carcinoma of the thyroid originates from the abnormal development of follicular cells in the thyroid gland.

Currently, among patients with endocrine cancer, up to 90% are thyroid cases. In particular, more than 80% of them are papillary thyroid cancer. In the early stages of the disease, the symptoms are often mild and unclear. However, if not detected early, cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body.

Some “alarm” signs of this disease are:

• Feeling of discomfort in the neck area: This can occur when the tumor appears in the thyroid gland, affecting the surrounding muscles, causing the neck to swell and become painful.
• Sore throat when speaking or swallowing, prolonged cough: This symptom often occurs when thyroid tumors gradually develop, pressing on blood vessels and digestive tracts in the neck.
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck with difficulty breathing: This is the most obvious sign, swollen lymph nodes are mostly caused by internal diseases, especially cancer.
• Hoarseness: Although few people pay attention, a deeper voice can also be a sign of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.

A persistent sore throat may be a sign of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.

Who can get papillary thyroid cancer?

According to doctors, papillary thyroid cancer can occur due to many different causes. It can be due to genetic factors, or it can be due to the impact of the living environment and living habits. People at high risk of this disease include:

• Women of all ages, especially middle-aged people;
• People with a diet lacking in iodine;
• Patients with a history of diseases such as: Thyroiditis, hyperthyroidism, …;
• People who are addicted to alcohol, overweight, obese.

Can papillary thyroid cancer be cured?

Currently, as medicine develops, there are more and more methods to treat papillary thyroid cancer. Treatment of this disease depends on the time of detection, the size and scope of the tumor. Here are some common treatment methods:

• Surgery: This is the most common method today, recommended for treatment in the early stages of the disease. Depending on the severity, the doctor may remove part or all of the thyroid gland.
• Radioactive iodine therapy (I-131): This method is often used after surgery. Radioactive iodine rays are used to destroy remaining cancer cells in the thyroid tissue.
• Radiotherapy: This method is used for patients who are not eligible for surgery or when the cancer cells have metastasized and cannot be removed by radioactive iodine.

Surgery may be needed to remove thyroid cancer cells.

This is considered a disease with a much higher cure rate than other types of cancer. If detected early and treated appropriately, it is possible to prevent cancer cells from spreading to other organs and reduce complications of the disease.

How to prevent papillary thyroid carcinoma

Although it is considered a disease with a good prognosis, papillary thyroid carcinoma has a negative impact on the health and psychology of the patient. Therefore, to minimize the risk of disease, you should improve your health from the inside. Specifically:

• Avoid exposure to toxic environments and chemicals.
• Eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, avoid staying up too late.
• Supplement a variety of nutrients, especially fiber to enhance metabolism.
• Increase iodine for the body through some foods such as: Seafood, seaweed, spinach, chicken eggs, …
• Do not drink alcohol, smoke, or use stimulants.

In addition, you should also have regular health check-ups to promptly detect any unusual signs of the body.

Some foods high in iodine help prevent thyroid disease.

Hopefully, the above article has answered the question “What is papillary carcinoma of the thyroid?” of many people. Having a full understanding of this disease not only ensures timely detection and effective treatment, but also helps you prevent the risk of cancer cells from invading.