Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer is a rare type of cancer that affects the thyroid gland, a small gland at the base of the neck. Most people who have this cancer do recover very well because the cancer is usually found early and the treatments work well. The cause of this condition is unclear. However, there are risk factors that can increase one's chances of developing the condition and they include:

• Benign thyroid condition
• Inheriting a faulty gene
• Radiation exposure
• Diet containing low levels of the trace element, iodine

This condition doesn't cause any signs or symptoms early in the disease. As thyroid cancer grows, it may cause the following:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Pain in the neck and throat
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
• Changes in the voice including increasing hoarseness

Surgery is the most general form of treatment for thyroid cancer that has not spread to other areas of the body. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy and radioactive iodine treatment are also treatment options for thyroid cancer.