Thyroid Cancer Common In Females

Surgery Clinic of NELA’s State-of-the-Art Procedures Mean Fast Recovery

BY DR. MOHAMED BAKEER

THYROID CANCER IS THE most common cancer in women ages 15 to 30 and the second most common cancer in women under 50. Seventy-five percent of all thyroid cancers occur in women. The good news? It is also one of the most curable cancers.

So, what is the thyroid? While the thyroid is small, its functions are significant. The butterfly-shaped organ—located at the base of the neck, just below the Adam’s apple— produces hormones that regulate heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and weight.

The root cause of most thyroid cancers is unknown. Risk factors include gender, high radiation exposure, certain inherited genetic conditions, and race.

Thyroid cancer is approximately 70% more prevalent in white people than in black people. Most thyroid cancers don’t cause any signs or symptoms in the early disease stages. Some thyroid cancers may never create any symptoms. As thyroid cancer grows, it may cause:

• Fatigue • A lump (nodule) in your neck

• Changes in your voice • Difficulty swallowing

• Swollen lymph nodes in your neck

• Pain in your neck or throat

• Persistent cough

Neck nodules are common, and not all are cancerous. However, if you experience any of the above symptoms or feel generally unwell, visit your doctor; they will examine the size and firmness of your thyroid and any enlarged lymph nodes. You will undergo an ultrasound, biopsy, and surgery if necessary.

Most thyroid cancers grow gradually, and while some can be aggressive, most thyroid cancers can be cured with treatment. In addition, most thyroid cancers are not likely to return, including the most common types of thyroid cancer—papillary and follicular thyroid cancer. Your physician can explain the likelihood of your cancer returning.

Recurrence is more likely if your cancer is aggressive or expands beyond your thyroid. When thyroid cancer returns, a physician will usually detect it in the first five years after your initial diagnosis. Thyroid cancer recurrence still comes with a good prognosis. Most people will experience successful treatments.

Our physicians at the Surgery Clinic of Northeast Louisiana perform many general surgeries using minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic procedures, including partial or complete thyroid removals. The benefits of our minimally invasive techniques are:

• Reduced pain due to smaller incisions

• Quicker recovery

• Smaller scars

• Reduced risk of infection

• Less time away from work

Call us today and learn about all of the services we perform including general surgery such as thyroidectomies, weight loss surgery, and vein procedures.

The Surgery Clinic of Northeast Louisiana, home of Delta Vein Care, houses surgeons Dr. Walter Sartor, Dr. Bart Liles, Dr. Patrick Smith, and Dr. Mohamed Bakeer.