Thyroid cancer is a solid tumor cancer that usually shows up as a nodule, or mass, in the thyroid gland, which is located at the front base of your throat. It occurs when rogue cells reproduce too rapidly for the immune system to control. There are several types of thyroid cancer, but two types papillary thyroid cancer and follicular thyroid cancer are by far the most common, accounting for some 95 percent of cases. Between 1% and 2% of people will get thyroid cancer at some point during their lifetime. It affects three times as many women as men and is most common after age 30, though it can occur in any age group. Thyroid cancer is more likely to be aggressive in older adults.

People with thyroid cancer may experience the following symptoms or signs. Sometimes, people with thyroid cancer do not have any of the signs and symptoms described below. Or, the cause of a symptom or sign may be a medical condition that is not cancer.
1) A lump (nodule) that can be felt through the skin on your neck
2) Changes to your voice, including increasing hoarseness
3) Difficulty swallowing
4) Pain in your neck and throat
5) Swollen lymph nodes in your neck
6) A lump in the front of the neck, near the Adam's apple
7) Difficulty breathing
8) A cough that persists and is not caused by a cold

A person’s risk of developing thyroid cancer depends on many factors, including age, some non cancerous thyroid conditions and a family history of thyroid cancer. We don’t know what causes most thyroid cancers. But there are some factors that might increase your risk of developing it.
1) Age and gender
Thyroid cancer is more common in women than in men, and more so during their reproductive years. The highest number of women diagnosed with thyroid cancer are between the ages of 44 and 49 years. Men are more likely to develop thyroid cancer at an older age. For example between the ages of 80 to 84 years.
2) Being very overweight (obese)
The risk of thyroid cancer is higher in people who are overweight or obese (have a higher weight than is normal for their height).
3) Family history
You have a higher risk of thyroid cancer if a close family member has thyroid cancer. This risk is higher than that of the general population if you have one or more first degree relatives. A first degree relative is a parent, brother, sister, son or daughter.
4) Inherited faulty genes
Some people have an increased risk of developing thyroid cancer because of an inherited change (fault) in a gene Open a glossary item.For example, some people have changes in the RET gene that cause syndromes called MEN2A and MEN2B. MEN stands for multiple endocrine neoplasia. People with these syndromes have an increased risk of medullary thyroid cancer. MEN2A and MEN2B are rare conditions. Most people found to have MEN are offered surgery to remove their thyroid gland. About 25 in every 100 people (25%) who develop medullary thyroid cancer have an inherited faulty gene associated with MEN.
5) Radiation
The thyroid gland is sensitive to radiation. People who have a lot of radiation may develop nodules or lumps on their thyroid some years later. A lump or nodule on your thyroid doesn’t always mean it is a cancer. But you should always check with your doctor if you find a lump.
6) Producing too many hormones
Acromegaly is a rare condition where the body over produces growth hormone. Studies suggest that this may increase the risk of thyroid cancer.
7) Systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus Open a glossary item is an autoimmune condition. Studies suggest that the risk of thyroid cancer is about 2 times higher in people with systemic lupus erythematosus than the general population.

There are 4 main types of thyroid cancer, which differ in their aggressiveness and other factors:
1) Papillary Thyroid Cancer
This is by far the most common form of thyroid cancer, accounting for between 80% and 85% of all diagnoses. It’s among the most curable of all cancers.
2) Follicular Thyroid Cancer
About 10% to 15% of thyroid cancers fall into this category. It’s more aggressive than papillary thyroid cancer and can invade other areas of the body through the bloodstream. A rare form of follicular thyroid cancer known as Hurthle cell cancer is especially aggressive.
3) Medullary Thyroid Cancer
This accounts for less than 3% of thyroid cancers, according to the American Thyroid Association (ATA). It can, and frequently does, spread to lymph nodes.
4) Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer This type of cancer has a poorer prognosis and tends to become resistant to chemotherapy over time. The ATA says less than 2% of thyroid cancers fit into this category. Anaplastic thyroid cancer advances quickly and is the most aggressive thyroid cancer.

If your doctor suspects you have thyroid cancer, they will feel your neck to check for any swelling or lumps. If you have a thyroid lump, your doctor may then perform one or more of the following tests to confirm whether the lump is cancerous.
1) Blood test
While a blood test cannot diagnose thyroid cancer, it can check your levels of T3, T4 and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). The thyroid generally functions normally even if thyroid cancer is present, and your hormone production won’t be affected. However, this blood test may rule out benign thyroid conditions, such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
2) Ultrasound
The best way to get detailed information about your thyroid is with an ultrasound. This scan can show the size of any thyroid nodule and whether it is full of fluid or solid.
3) Biopsy
If you have a thyroid nodule or enlarged lymph node in your neck, you may need a fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy.This is an outpatient procedure that takes about 15–30 minutes. It involves a thin needle being inserted into the nodule to collect a sample of cells, which is examined by a pathologist to see whether it contains cancer cells.
4) CT scan
Uses x-rays and a computer to create a detailed picture of an area inside the body. You may need a CT scan if your thyroid is very enlarged, if it extends below the collarbone, or if your doctor suspects that the cancer has spread to other areas in the neck.
5) PET scan
you will be injected with a glucose solution to help cancer cells show up brighter on the scan. A PET scan is rarely needed for thyroid cancer. However, it may be useful in some types of thyroid cancer, particularly if other tests give conflicting results.

Treatments for thyroid cancer depend on the tumor size and whether the cancer has spread. Treatments include:
1) Surgery:
Surgery is the most common treatment for thyroid cancer. Depending on the tumor’s size and location, your surgeon may remove part of the thyroid gland (lobectomy) or all of the gland (thyroidectomy). Your surgeon also removes any nearby lymph nodes where cancer cells have spread.
2) Radioiodine therapy:
With radioiodine therapy, you swallow a pill or liquid containing a higher dose of radioactive iodine than what’s used in a diagnostic radioiodine scan. The radioiodine shrinks and destroys the diseased thyroid gland along with cancer cells. Don’t be alarmed — this treatment is very safe. Your thyroid gland absorbs almost all of the radioiodine. The rest of your body has minimal radiation exposure.
3) Radiation therapy:
Radiation kills cancer cells and stops them from growing. External radiation therapy uses a machine to deliver strong beams of energy directly to the tumor site. Internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy) involves placing radioactive seeds in or around the tumor.
4) Chemotherapy:
Intravenous or oral chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells and stops cancer growth. Very few patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer will ever need chemotherapy.
5) Hormone therapy:
This treatment blocks the release of hormones that can cause cancer to spread or come back.

5-year relative survival rates for thyroid cancer:
1) Localized: near 100% There is no sign the cancer has spread outside of the thyroid.
2) Regional: 99% The cancer has spread outside of the thyroid to nearby structures.
3) Distant: 76% The cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, such as the bones.

Cancer is a life threatening disease that can affect anyone regardless of race, age, and gender. Traditional cancer treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy often result in undesirable and uncomfortable side effects such as vomiting, numbness, nausea, and diarrhea to name a few. Herbal medicine is a complementary therapy that some people with cancer use to ease cancer symptoms. Herbal remedies for cancer such as those commonly found in traditional medicine contains antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, and apoptosis inducing compounds that help in slowing the development of cancer and relieve treatment side effects for patients.

Herbal medicine has a wide variety of applications but all of them rely on the sustainable use of various plant parts such as flowers, leaves, bark, and roots. Each part of a plant features different medicinal properties and uses. Although herbal medicine has countless use cases, cancer care is one of the most practical applications because of how harsh traditional oncology treatments can be on patients.

Herbal remedies are a part of a growing field of medicine called integrative oncology. Research conducted on the use of herbal medicine for cancer complementary therapy has proven herbs can:
• Slows the spread of cancer
• Reduces the side effects of cancer treatment
• Boosts immune system strength and functionality
• Minimizes the symptoms of cancer
• Attacks cancer cells

Several herbs may help control the side effects of conventional cancer treatment. However, doctors do not recommend that cancer patients take herbal medicine while undergoing normal traditional cancer treatment. Herbal medicines may be likely less to cause side effects than traditional drugs. But patients may can still experience complications. Some herbs may can cause negative interactions with chemotherapy drugs. Closely monitor how you feel before and after taking herbal remedies. Patients should always consult with their doctor before trying herbs as a complementary therapy or the supplements to avoid complications.