Thyroid Cancer
Last up on our list is thyroid cancer, which affects the thyroid glands. The most common form of thyroid cancer is called papillary thyroid cancer. The other three types are follicular, medullary, and anaplastic. The most common types of thyroid cancer are: swelling of the neck, a lump within the neck, pain of the neck (which can sometimes radiate up to the ears), difficulties breathing and swallowing, and a persistent cough. it is difficult to treat anaplastic thyroid cancer with the treatments that are currently available, the other thyroid cancer types are usually curable.
One factor that puts an individual at an increased risk of thyroid cancer are being exposed to radiation as a child to the head and neck areas. This type of cancer also has a genetic link in that it is more common for an individual to develop it if they have a family history of either medullary thyroid cancer, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A syndrome, and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B syndrome.
If you have any of these signs or symptoms, talk to your doctor right away. Many of these symptoms can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions.
