Treatment For Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

3 June, 2009 No Comment

Anaplastic thyroid cancer also known as undifferentiated thyroid cancer is an extremely rare form of thyroid cancer. It occurs in about 0.5 to 5% cases of thyroid cancer. The diagnosis is difficult as it is an aggressive type of cancer and cannot be cured easily with cancer treatments.

It spreads rapidly, and invades the surrounding tissues such as the trachea and makes breathing difficult. It is one of the only types of cancer, which spreads so rapidly. There is no known cause and the usual thyroid tests do not reflect the disease.

Causes
It is often found within another differentiated form of thyroid cancer affecting people who have increased exposure to radiation therapy.

Symptoms
Changing in the voice, a mass in the neck, coughing with or without blood, difficulty in breathing or swallowing are the symptoms of anaplastic thyroid cancer.

Diagnosis
A physical examination may be done. It can reveal a large lump in the thyroid gland. Additionally, a biopsy of the thyroid, ultrasound, and isotope study of the thyroid gland, MRI scan and an examination of the respiratory passage will help in the diagnosis.

A blood test may be done to rule out other forms of thyroid cancer. Once cancer is diagnosed a CT scan of the neck and chest may be done to gauge the extent to which the cancer has spread. Flexible laryngoscopy is done to assess if the cancer has affected the vocal cords.

Risk
It affects older people mostly over sixty and is extremely rare in young people. Similarly men are twice as much likely than women to contract Anaplastic thyroid cancer.

Treatment
Unlike most other cancers, anaplastic thyroid cancer does not respond effectively to treatment and due to its location, it is mostly inoperable. It has a low curing rate and only around 10% of the cases are cured. Most patients live up to a maximum of one-year post diagnosis.

This is because it tends to affect the tissues, which are around it and is not detected until it spreads to other areas. Treatment comprises of surgery to remove the tumor or radiation and chemotherapy or a combination of both. A tracheotomy i.e. inserting a tube in the throat may be recommended to help in breathing.

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