Things You Need to Know About Thyroid Cancer

The thyroid gland, commonly known as the thyroid, is an endocrine gland present in the neck’s frontal region, just below Adam’s apple in males. It secretes three hormones that influence the body’s protein synthesis, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, weight, and metabolic rate. For children, it also impacts their growth and development.
As the name suggests, thyroid cancer is a type of cancer that affects the tissues of the thyroid gland. Like other types of cancer, cells grow anomalously and spread to other parts of the body. It results in the swelling and formation of a lump in the neck where the thyroid gland is.
Cause and Risk Factors:
The cause of thyroid cancer remains uncertain as of today. However, scientists have made certain conjectures about its origin and risk factors. These include:
 

Gender: Globally, females are more susceptible compared to males.
Age: Females between 40-50 and males 60-70 have greater chances of contracting the disease.
Radiation exposure: Exposure to high levels of natural or artificial radiation can cause the disease to occur. It can include instances of radiation therapy to areas of the head and neck, like that of lymphoma.
Hereditary or genetic problems: Genetic disposition to the disease increases the chance of subsequent generations developing it.
Genetic complications: It can be due to multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2. Other complexities include Cowden disease and familial adenomatous polyposis.
Other Thyroid Diseases: Prior cases of thyroid diseases, like thyroiditis, can increase the risk.
Iodine deficiency: Iodine is necessary to create thyroid hormones in the body. Iodine deficiency can increase the vulnerability to developing the cancer.

 
The thyroid cells rapidly grow and multiply, losing their capacity to die. These enormous numbers of cells accumulate and form a tumor. They can also spread and invade the adjoining tissues and other body parts.