What are the causes of thyroid cancer? What are the treatments for thyroid cancer?

Thyroid cancer is a malignant tumor that originates from the thyroid follicular epithelium or parafollicular cells. The incidence of thyroid cancer ranks third among all malignant tumors, accounting for 1% of all tumors in the body, and ranks second among female malignant tumors. The vast majority of thyroid cancers originate from follicular epithelial cells, accounting for 35% of all malignant tumors in the body, which may be related to factors such as ionizing radiation, genetics, gender and age.

1. Reasons:

1. Ionizing radiation: Long-term exposure of the thyroid gland to radionuclides may induce gene mutations, thereby increasing the incidence of thyroid cancer;

2. Heredity: Women with a family history of thyroid cancer are more likely to develop thyroid cancer, such as parents, siblings, etc.

3. Gender and age: The incidence of thyroid cancer is higher in childhood and adolescence, while it is lower in women after the age of 40.

2. Treatment:

1. Surgery: It is the first choice for the treatment of thyroid cancer. It can be performed by total or partial thyroidectomy. In addition, palliative surgery can be performed for patients with distant metastasis.

2. Radionuclide therapy: Radionuclide therapy can effectively inhibit tumor development and has good therapeutic effects, but it may cause permanent hypothyroidism;

3. Endocrine therapy: Thyroxine can inhibit the secretion of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), thereby inhibiting the proliferation of thyroid tissue and differentiated cancer, and has a regressing effect on established thyroid cancer;

4. Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy under the guidance of a doctor can kill residual cancer cells. Commonly used drugs include doxorubicin, epirubicin, etc.

In addition to the above preventive measures, it is also recommended to quit smoking, limit alcohol consumption, and maintain a good attitude. Regularly check color Doppler ultrasound and five thyroid function tests after surgery to maintain normal levels.