Among diseases of the thyroid gland, which are becoming more common in recent years, one of the most dangerous is papillary carcinoma. This diagnosis sounds threatening to the patient, but in fact, medicine successfully treats this pathology, if revealed at an early stage.
Papillary carcinoma - what is it?
Papillary carcinoma is a neoplasm that forms in the tissues of the thyroid gland in the form of a cyst or an uneven tumor. Often one of the parts of the organ is affected. The majority of patients with this diagnosis are women over 40-50 years old, although the disease does not even welcome children. The increase in the incidence of this form of cancer is growing in developed countries, but there is a possibility that this is due to the development of technologies that allow detection of previously untested micro-tumors.
The thyroid gland is the most important organ of the endocrine system, located at the base of the neck in front, which produces hormones involved in the regulation of breathing, cardiac activity, hematopoiesis, digestion, maintaining normal body temperature and so on. Cancer of the thyroid leads to systemic disorders in the body, and when it spreads to other organs, it seriously burdens the prognosis for recovery.
Iron-papillary carcinoma
Papillary thyroid carcinoma is formed inside the organ from healthy glandular tissues that begin to undergo an uncontrolled mutation. Neoplasm is dense, dotted with multiple small papillae, in a section of brown color. The cells of such a tumor almost do not differ from healthy ones, in view of which it is classified as highly differentiated. Papillary carcinoma grows slowly, inactive starts up metastases. Initially, the tumor is mobile, the resistance appears when it grows into the lymph nodes.
Papillary carcinoma - follicular variant
This is a more serious type of papillary carcinoma, considered aggressive, but it is several times less common. The structure of the tumor in this case consists of follicular cells containing a colloid substance and thyroid hormones, with an abnormal growth of which a knot is formed. In appearance, this is a rounded formation surrounded by a fibrous capsule (encapsulated papillary thyroid carcinoma). The tumor tends to germinate into the lymph nodes, the vessels surrounding the tissues, often metastasizes to remote areas.
Causes of Thyroid Cancer
Specialists identify the following possible causes of thyroid cancer:
- hereditary predisposition to mutational processes in tissues;
- deficiency of iodine in the body ;
- exposure to ionizing radiation;
- radiation therapy in the neck and head;
- occupational hazards (the effect of heavy metals, elevated temperatures);
- stress;
- bad habits;
- some chronic pathologies (diseases of the female sexual sphere, hormone-dependent tumors, polyps of the rectum, multinodular goiter );
- living in an ecologically unfavorable region.
Papillary thyroid cancer - symptoms
For a long time, the papillary thyroid carcinoma can not manifest itself in any way (even for several years), and at the initial stages of malignant tumor development a person does not know anything. Only when certain sizes of the tumor are reached, when it is possible to probe it, discomfortable sensations appear:
- hoarseness of voice ;
- coughing;
- constant sensation of a "lump" in the throat, worse when swallowing and squeezing the neck;
- compaction and soreness in the thyroid gland;
- an increase in the cervical lymph nodes from the side of the lesion;
- difficulty breathing.
These symptoms are not considered specific and may resemble manifestations of colds, tonsillitis. Their distinctive feature is that the first signs are noted for a long period. As the tumor grows and cancer cells spread to neighboring tissues, other symptoms appear:
- constant weakness;
- sweating;
- poor appetite;
- decreased body weight;
- hair loss;
- increased cough, pain.
Papillary thyroid carcinoma - stages
Depending on the size, prevalence of the tumor, the presence of metastases, the papillary carcinoma of the thyroid can be classified as one of the stages of development:
- Stage I - tumor size does not exceed 2 cm, cells do not disintegrate, metastases are absent;
- II stage - the diameter of the neoplasm reaches 2-4 cm, while it does not go beyond the limits of the organ and does not give metastases;
- III stage - a tumor more than 4 cm, goes beyond the thyroid gland, squeezes the trachea and nearby tissues, soldering with them, metastases appear in the cervical lymph nodes;
- IV stage - the neoplasm reaches considerable dimensions, deepens into the surrounding areas, the thyroid gland becomes immobile, metastases are found in near and distant organs.
Papillary carcinoma - metastases
Growing papillary serous carcinoma can produce metastases - secondary malignant foci that spread lymphogenously or with blood flow. Often, metastases are found in such organs and tissues:
- lymphonoduses;
- lungs;
- bone tissue of the ribs;
- thoracic vertebrae;
- skull bones;
- brain;
- liver;
- adrenal glands;
- intestines.
Suspected the presence of metastases is possible by such signs:
- pain in the bones, in the spine;
- cough with discharge of blood;
- migraine headaches;
- deterioration of vision;
- vomiting;
- jaundice;
- drop in blood pressure and others.
Papillary thyroid cancer - diagnosis
Thyroid gland endocrinologist can reveal palpation, but only if it has reached a diameter of 1 cm or more and does not lie deep in the gland tissues. In addition, you can suspect the development of the disease by feeling the lymph nodes, which in this case increase in size. To diagnose cancer and determine its type, the following methods are used:
- Study with radioactive iodine, in which nodes with reduced function of the gland are detected.
- Ultrasonic diagnosis - to detect formations lying in non-palpable areas.
- Computer and magnetic resonance imaging - necessary to assess the scale and prevalence of cancer.
- The analysis of blood on hormones - allows to estimate functioning of a thyroid gland, to define the hormonal status.
- The most accurate method is fine-needle aspiration biopsy . During this low-traumatic procedure, a small piece of tumor is collected through a puncture. Further, the biomaterial is subjected to a cytological and histological laboratory study to determine the type, stage and extent of the pathology. The cytological picture of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland is characterized by the following features:
- cell size - from 1 mm to several centimeters;
- The tumor consists of branches with a vascularized connective tissue base;
- the branches of the tumor are covered with cylindrical and cubic epithelium;
- the nucleus of the cell is filled with chromatin;
- it is possible to keep the bodies of basophilic and calcified mass;
- cells of the papillary tumor are hormonally inactive;
- there is rarely a mitotic division of cells.
Papillary thyroid carcinoma - treatment
Since this type of tumor is not very sensitive to radiation therapy, papillary thyroid cancer treatment is based on a complex of such techniques:
- surgical intervention, providing complete or partial removal of the gland (thyroidectomy);
- use of radioactive iodine after removal of the affected thyroid tissue, which is introduced into the body (often orally) and selectively causes the death of the remaining cancer cells;
- chemotherapy - the use of toxic drugs that have a harmful effect on the affected cells, which is performed in case of metastases to other organs;
- hormone replacement therapy, based on the administration of thyroxine;
- the use of mineral complexes and vitamins;
- a diet based on a decrease in the intake of iodine-containing foods, sugar, salt, vitamin A.
Papillary carcinoma is an operation
Treatment of papillary carcinoma by an operative method is carried out under general anesthesia. If the size of the lesion does not exceed one centimeter, it is possible to partially remove the organ. In other cases, it may be necessary to completely remove the gland, nearby affected tissues and lymph nodes. If the carcinoma sprouted into the trachea and touched the laryngeal nerve, it is considered inoperable, and it is irradiated. In addition, papillary carcinoma is not subject to removal with extensive metastases and in the case of serious pathologies from the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
Papillary thyroid cancer - treatment with folk remedies
If a glandular or follicular variant of the papillary thyroid carcinoma is diagnosed, no folk methods can replace the traditional treatment. Only as a supplement with the permission of a doctor, some means may be used. So, traditional healers recommend tea, which has a blood-purifying and oncoprotective properties.
Prescription means
Ingredients:
- linden color - 1 table. a spoon;
- Elderberry color - 1 table. a spoon;
- shoots of a guelder-rose - 1 table. a spoon;
- leaves wormwood - 1 table. a spoon;
- leaves celandine - 1 table. a spoon.
Preparation and use
- Connect the herbs, mix.
- Pour a teaspoon of collection with a glass of boiling water, cover with a lid.
- Ten minutes later strain.
- Drink on an empty stomach in the morning for half an hour before eating.
Papillary thyroid carcinoma - prognosis
Among patients in whom papillary thyroid carcinoma is diagnosed, the survival rate of 10 years or more is about 90%, subject to early diagnosis and proper treatment. If the disease is detected in the second stage, the five-year survival rate after treatment is 55%, in the third stage - 35%, and on the fourth stage - 15%. The advantage of the prognosis, in addition to the stage of the disease and the adequacy of treatment, is influenced by the age of the patient, the general condition of the organism, and the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle.