Malignant thyroid cancer
Thyroid cancer is a malignant disease of the thyroid gland. Malignancy (malignancy) means that the tumor in the thyroid gland grows rapidly and can form daughter tumors (thyroid cancer metastases). Such a malignant tumor of the thyroid gland originates to 95% from the so-called epithelial cells of the thyroid gland and is then called thyroid carcinoma. Several forms are distinguished, which differ in the structure of their cells, the tendency to form metastases and finally in their prognosis and life expectancy. Thyroid cancer must be distinguished from benign tumors of the thyroid gland, thyroiditis, strumata and other benign changes.
Papillary form of thyroid cancer
Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common form of thyroid cancer, accounting for 55% of all cases. The papillary thyroid carcinoma is one of the differentiated carcinomas, which means that its cells are still very similar to normal thyroid cells. The papillary thyroid carcinoma gets its name from the fact that, when viewed under the microscope, the cells from the punctate arrange themselves in a papillar shape.
The tumor shows up in the scintigram as a cold (i.e. not metabolically active) node in the diagnosis, but is able to store iodine, albeit to a lesser extent than healthy thyroid tissue. This property is essential for prognosis and life expectancy. After removal (surgery) of the entire thyroid gland, radioiodine therapy is performed.
The patient is administered high-dose iodine 131 in several sessions, which is deposited in the remaining cancer cells. Unlike normal iodine, however, it cannot be used to produce thyroid hormones (thyroxine), but destroys the cancer cells through its radioactive properties. With the surgical removal of the entire thyroid gland (radical thyroidectomy) and the subsequent radioiodine therapy, patients have a very good prognosis.
The papillary thyroid carcinoma as a malignant tumor can also form metastases, which usually affect the nearby lymph nodes. However, these can be removed during the operation, so that the tumor and its daughter tumors are completely removed from the body. The 10-year survival rate is over 90%.
A slightly worse prognosis is given to older patients and patients who have already developed distant metastases. A distant metastasis is when the cancer has sent metastases not only to the regional lymph nodes but also to other internal organs. This usually indicates an advanced stage of the cancer disease, which is associated with less good chances of recovery.
