Thyroid Cancer
Overview
Thyroid cancer is a malignant growth of cells that starts in the thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck. Worldwide, approximately 3.3 million people have thyroid cancer and around 300.000 new cases occur each year. Thyroid cancer occurs more often in women than men, and it is most often diagnosed between the ages of 35 and 65. Other risk factors include exposure to ionizing radiation, a chronic thyroid infection and certain genetic syndromes like multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 2.
Thyroid cancer is classified into subtypes based on the types of cells found within the tumor. The most common type is papillary thyroid cancer. Other common thyroid cancers are follicular, medullary and anaplastic.
Diagnosis
The most common symptom of thyroid cancer is a lump or nodule that is felt through the skin of your neck. This thyroid nodule is then examined by a specialist during a physical examination, and based on your other symptoms, the specialist will recommend further testing. Other symptoms of thyroid cancer include changes in your voice, difficulty swallowing and pain in your neck and throat. Further testing for suspect thyroid nodules includes an ultrasound examination or a radioactive iodine scan. If a suspect mass is seen through the imaging tests, your medical team may recommend a biopsy, where a fine needle is inserted into the mass to extract a tissue sample. This sample is then examined, and its cellular and molecular characteristics are evaluated by the GMI Department of Pathology. These findings are vital for confirming the diagnosis and determining the best treatment plan for each case. To assess the potential spread of the cancer, your GMI medical team may recommend you undergo further imaging studies. The GMI offers the most advanced medical imaging techniques, including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography / computed tomography (PET / CT).
Treatment
Like other types of cancer, treatment for thyroid cancer varies greatly depending on the specific subtype and how the cancer has progressed. Every step in the diagnostic procedure helps the GMI team tailor each treatment plan to each patient, taking into consideration your individual case and personal preferences. To determine the best course of action each patient’s case is discussed in a multidisciplinary tumor board where several experts from our team come together to create your comprehensive treatment plan.
Thyroid cancer is treated mainly through surgery. For some cases of thyroid cancer, surgery is combined with radioiodine therapy in our GMI Department of Nuclear Medicine. For cases where the cancer is at a more advanced stage, our Medical Oncology team will propose the best treatment plan for each patient, which will include chemotherapy and other systemic therapies, or radiotherapy.
Why GMI
At the GMI German Oncology Center, a dedicated team of internationally acclaimed muclear medicine physicians and surgeons guides each thyroid cancer patient through their entire journey, from their diagnostic work-up to their treatment and post-treatment care.
The GMI team will never offer a simple “one size fits all” approach to any patient. We believe each patient’s case is as individual as they are and strive to find the best solution for each of our patients, taking their specific case and diagnosis, their lifestyle, and choices into account.
We believe each of our patients is more than their diagnosis. That’s why our dedicated paramedics team supports thyroid cancer patients on their journey by offering more than just expert medical care. We offer psychological help, integrative oncology services (including yoga classes, and acupuncture) and have a GMI Patient Advocacy Program.
Adhering to our passion for innovation, and desire to progress the medical field, the GMI German Oncology Center both initiates and participates in several clinical trials in which the most modern and advanced treatment concepts are tested.
